By Thomas D. Davenport, Jr. and James McLin
During a bittersweet moment, Grandmaster Raymond K. Fogg of Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu, participated in the Hand-Washing Ceremony to formally announce his retirement from teaching Kung Fu. The Hand-Washing Ceremony is a deeply meaningful and symbolic tradition where a master or sifu washes his hands in the presence of students and others to signify his retirement. Grandmaster Fogg retired during the well-attended banquet of 50th annual workshop of the United States Kung Fu Exchange, an organization created by Fogg in 1975 to preserve and promote Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu through learning, teaching, and exchanging all aspects of Seven Star Praying Mantis system of Kung Fu. Several esteemed Kung Fu luminaries attended the banquet, and they include Henry Chung, Stanly Moy, Wuzhong Jia, Wallace Cupp, Michael Aronson, Johnny Lee, Erroll Lockhart, and Jacob Stiver.
While becoming a grandmaster and creating an organization such as the United States Kung Fu Exchange are considerable accomplishments, there is a lot more to Raymond Fogg than these feats. While sitting in the cool shade provided by oak trees at Del Sol Kung Fu in Austin, Texas, we interviewed Fogg and learned his story of significant perseverance, persistence, and resilience. His is not an ordinary story. Rather, it is one of true magnificence.
On a cold Christmas eve, a newborn infant was found on a park bench in Washington D.C. The baby was the product of nonconsensual sex forced onto a 13-year-old. This baby was Raymond K. Fogg. He was placed in an orphanage, Junior Village, which was not a place of love, understanding, or compassion. The children of the orphanage would not get cookies, but rather cigarettes. As a child, the counselors would demand Fogg, and the other children steal various items so the counselors could sell the items for personal gain. Should Fogg and other fail to do so, they would be subjected to beatings by the counselors. Fogg shared, “they’d hang me from the rafters and beat me with extension cords.” To survive, Fogg and the orphans would eat out of garbage cans where they would sometimes have to shake maggots off the food. When not in the orphanage, Fogg would either live in a foster home, on the streets, juvenile detention facilities, or adult penal institutions. As though life was not hard enough, Fogg lived during segregation. Fogg describes his childhood as full of horror, and roughness. As a child, Fogg distinctly remembers feeling scared most of the time. Through these painful times, Fogg learned to survive.
To escape these childhood experiences, Fogg enjoyed Green Lantern comic books. Although he could not read the words written in the comic books, he loved the pictures of the Green Lantern producing various physical constructs from the energy projections from his ring. In those comic books, Fogg would see advertisements for various martial arts showing people kicking straight up in the air. Those images left an impression on him, and he wanted to do what he saw in the advertisements. Fogg was able to take advantage of various free programs offered at Howard University to less fortunate children where he learned Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Taekwondo. Fogg spent a lot of time learning these martials arts. Where other children had toys to play with, Fogg only had martial arts. Martial arts were the only source of fun in Fogg’s childhood. With a healthy exposure of various martial arts, one appealed to Fogg more than others and it was Kung Fu, but he learned it would not be easy to learn.
Fogg explained many Kung Fu schools resisted teaching Americans. He recalls one school would not let him into the building. So, Fogg would stand outside the school, rain, snow, or shine, to observe the students and try to imitate what he saw. About every 15 minutes, the students would pull back the blinds to peek at Fogg, and they would laugh at him for remaining outside. After a year of Fogg doing this, he was eventually permitted to enter the school and begin learning Kung Fu.
According to Fogg, the apparent resistance of Kung Fu schools to teach Americans was due to the breaking though the culture. Some Americans, particularly the white Americans, were impatient and did not have the proper Kung Fu ethics to learn. If they had the financial means to provide for the lessons, many instructors would not teach everything to them. Meanwhile, Black and Latino students would be instructed to hold a Horse stance for the whole class, class after class. Many did not have the right kind of patience and would quit. For those who did tolerate the brutal Horse Stance training, they would show up for class and would be handed a broom or mop and told to clean up the kwoon, the Kung Fu studio. By these students, who were paying school fees, doing what was asked of them, they were able to break through the cultural barriers and demonstrate the proper ethics necessary to learn Kung Fu. Since Fogg did have not money for school fees, he would arrive at the school early and clean the school the best it ever was cleaned. The instructor would then teach Kung Fu to him.
The first Kung Fu school attended by Fogg was the Jow Ga School, where he learned under Master Dean Chin. Then, after serving in the U.S. Marine Corp, Fogg became interested in Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu after walking past a school on 18th Street in Washington, D.C. The school was run by Si-Hing Ron Burly, who initially taught students until they learned past a certain level. After Fogg did so, he was able to transfer to New York City and study under Grandmaster Chiu Leun of Seven Star Temple on Mott Street.
In his studies, Fogg quickly learned when the instructors taught lessons of martial techniques, the student had to work hard at it. He explained, “if somebody taught two moves, and then went off for an hour, you would not waste any time. You did those two moves repeatedly until he came back.” Fogg explained the student had to learn and practice this way because the instructor would see who did the moves a couple of times and sit down. If the student did not exhibit this dedication to learning Kung Fu, the instructor would disregard the student as not worth his time to teach.
Another obstacle in learning from Master Leun was he only spoke 12 words of English. To communicate, Grandmaster Leun would have one of the Chinese students interpret from Chinese to English. Fogg started noticing the student was not accurately and completely representing what Grandmaster Leun was saying. He arrived at this conclusion because Fogg would ask a question, Grandmaster Leun would render a lengthy response, yet the interpreter would simply say, “He said ‘no.’”
Additionally, some of the Chinese students were not welcoming to the American students and would often beat them up in class. Fortunately, there was one senior student, Raymond Nelson, a Black American and who would often act like a protector to the American students. Nelson was quite good at Kung Fu, and a former Marine, and he would not allow anyone to take advantage of Fogg.
During the 1970s, Fogg began training with Grandmaster Pui Chan in Boston and he even assisted in teaching at the Wah Lum Temple in Florida. Also, Fogg was fortunate to be taken in as a student with Master Henry Chung and his father, Grandmaster Ho Yin Chung of the Wong Hon Fun lineage. Fogg trained with these esteemed masters of the mantis style for over a decade. Fogg also had occasions to train with Master Brendan Lai, who taught during the annual U.S. Kung Fu Exchange. Fogg even trained with Hong Kong master of Seven Star Praying Mantis, Lee Kam Wing. Fogg learned from numerous other masters, some of which were Master Jhoon Rhee of Taekwondo, Master Dean Chin of Jow Ga, Grandmaster Cheng Man Ching of Taijiquan and Tai Chi, Master Josephus Colvin a.k.a “Kung Fu Joe” of Hung Gar, Grandmaster Kwon Ti Fu of Taekwondo, and Grandmaster Lily Lau of Eagle Claw.
After moving from New York City, New York, to Marshall, Texas, Fogg did not have any training partners. So, Fogg started to train people to develop potential training partners. From there, Fogg taught numerous students and hatched the idea of the U.S. Kung Fu Exchange. Fogg wanted to ensure many future generations of martial artists would have the opportunity to continue to learn Kung Fu. The purpose of the Exchange was set to teach, practice, research, and promulgate all aspects of Seven Star Praying Mantis styles. The Exchange has hosted many Seven Star Mantis masters from throughout the world to analyze and better understand the Mantis Kung Fu style.
While trying to learn and learning Kung Fu presented various obstacles and hardships, Grandmaster Fogg quickly acknowledges, “The only family I’ve ever had is the Kung Fu family.” In addition to beginning the United States Kung Fu Exchange, Fogg also built and grew a family. Over the decades, Fogg has come to rely on the members of Exchange, and a great number of members have come to rely on Grandmaster Fogg. Fogg finds peace and joy in being with people in the Exchange and in his Kung Fu training because he can trust them, something he did not have the luxury of doing during his youth.
On the cusp of retirement, we asked Grandmaster Fogg, “Looking back, what does it all mean to you?” and his response was illuminating. He said, “It means that I had a good life. I have no regrets. I am proud of what I accomplished. There’s more I probably could've done, but I'm satisfied. I did a lot for myself and my well-being by being able to do Martial Arts all my life. And now, it's even better because I have a legacy. I could truly lay down, cross my arms, and die with a smile on my face because I did life my way and I enjoyed every bit of it. I would not trade the hard stuff I went through because it made me who I am and I’m quite pleased with me. I learned to love me.”
Regarding accomplishments, Fogg quickly identifies his proudest one is, “You guys. You guys are my prodigies. Many students, grand students, and great-grand students. I’ve watched so many grow up from kids and go into adult responsibilities. And knowing that I’ve been able to contribute to that. I respect all of you. I honor you.” He sums it up with, “Over the years, I have watched many of my students and their children grow up practicing and fulfilling my dream and carrying forward a strong tradition of excellence sharing the Seven Star Mantis System of Kung Fu. I am assured that many of you will continue the tradition long after I am gone and for that I want to thank you.”
Endeavoring to match the magic of Grandmaster Fogg and his retirement banquet, the attendees were treated to a captivating performance by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team (TDLDT), led by Sifu Taran Champagne, and it was called, Jin Pen Xi Shou, which translates to “Washing the Hands in the Golden Basin.” Sifu Champagne explains this rare ceremony represents, “The individual is washing his hands of his current life and symbolically representing his retirement.” Sifu Champagne carefully researched this Lion Dance routine and worked very intently to honor it. The TDLDT and Sifu Champagne spent months researching, planning, and working on perfecting this routine. The inclusion of the Lion Dance added an authentic touch to the ceremony because Lion Dance is embedded within the Kung Fu culture. Sifu Champagne describes both the retirement of Grandmaster Fogg and the Jin Pen Xi Shou performance as “a moment to treasure due to the rarity of both.” Speaking fondly of Fogg, Sifu Champagne concludes, “Grandmaster Fogg achieved immortality through the legacy he is leaving behind” and he wants to honor it the best possible way.
Legacy is an important concept to consider with Grandmaster Fogg and his retirement. Many others offer a reflection of Grandmaster Fogg’s legacy, and influence in their lives. One such student is Dr. John Cheng , a hero, who perished while disabling a would-be mass murdering shooter while saving many lives at the Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Woods, California. 1 He wrote, Fogg is “a true master instructor” and “true martial father giving us life advice” and “he is Kung Fu.” Dr. Cheng continues, “One of his many talents is helping a martial artist achieve his true potential and unlock the mysteries of true mantis principles.” Dr. Cheng concluded, “It is because of his teachings and love for the art, and his students will his legacy and teaching carry forth in our hearts” and “his legacy has grown into the largest mantis organization in the world producing champion martial artists and dedicated instructors.”
Sifu Brandon Jones of Tyler Kung Fu and Fitness in Tyler, Texas, is another student of Grandmaster Fogg. Sifu Jones describes Fogg’s influence on his life as far reaching and touching every facet of his life, from childhood to adulthood. Jones says he received fantastic training from Fogg. “Even though it as very hard work, Fogg pulled the discipline out of us,” Jones remarks. Jones says he, “was blessed to have such a prominent man in my life to steer me” and “it was an incredible honor to learn from him.” Regarding legacy, Sifu Jones concludes, “the Fogg shadow-all former students who teach, represent Grandmaster Fogg and the students being taught also represent Fogg, which we call ‘the Sifu Fogg shadow’ and his shadow has spread all over the United States and the world.”
Another perspective comes from Sifu Thomas Leveritt of Del Sol Yoga and Kung Fu of Austin, Texas. Sifu Leveritt says, “Fogg is the holder of a very rare treasure, which he earned through hard work.” He explains, “Fogg unlocked the secretes of mantis Kung Fu and gave us step-by-step instructions on how to do it.” Leveritt continues, “We are very fortunate for the indescribable gift” he has given us and “there is no way to truly express that gratitude.” However, to honor Fogg, Sifu Leveritt tries “to emulate the same spirit of openness, compassion, and generosity when it comes to sharing knowledge of Kung Fu and guiding students through iterations of themselves without breaking students or putting unnecessary pressures on them.”
Christopher Salguero, Jow Gow, of Seven Star Martial Arts, Round Rock, Texas, shares his experiences with Grandmaster Fogg that goes beyond Kung Fu. He explains, “The biggest lesson I ever learned from Sifu Fogg is his love for helping and giving to other people” and Salguero realizes “is a real testament to his humility and love to give.” In describing Fogg, Salguero says, “He always is really focused on you and how you can be better.” Salguero characterizes Fogg “as one of the most amazing martial artists of his era” and “created students of the same caliber generation after generation.” To honor him, Salguero “passes down Sifu Fogg’s teachings, words, techniques, and life lessons to students” and “always makes sure to mention they came from Sifu Fogg.”
Regarding specific knowledge of Kung Fu, Sifu Jeff Remster of Seven Star Martial Arts in Round Rock, Texas, explains Grandmaster Fogg “had a way of helping people understand principles that they struggled with learning or applying” and “doing it in such a way that it made a lightbulb turn on and the concepts became knowledge.” One of the most important of such principles was “yielding.” Sifu Remster explains, “Yielding is not just for fighting. Yielding is for life. By example, when an argument is boiling up, yielding, meaning letting it go, has been more invaluable than almost anything else that I’ve learned in life.” Remster credits such knowledge as having “made my life absolutely better.” Along these lines, Sifu Remster points to the creation of the U.S. Kung Fu Exchange as another means in which Grandmaster Fogg has furthered the knowledge of Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. He says, “I challenge anyone to name someone else who has built a Seven Star community like he has, especially outside of China. There is nothing like the Exchange that I know of in the United States.” He concludes, this is “quite a legacy” and “I feel Sifu Fogg has absolutely cemented himself as one of the greats as far as I am concerned.”
Sifu James McLin of Legendary Kung Fu and Tai Chi in Pineville, Louisiana, speaks to the knowledge he obtained from Grandmaster Fogg. Sifu McLin says, “He taught many mantis principes in not only technical methods, but in cultural and combat principles.” Further, “Grandmaster Fogg has shown the value of a good work ethic” and “investment in loss is an investment in the future.” In one lesson, Sifu McLin shares one of his favorite sayings by Fogg, and it is “excuses are the bricks that we use to build monuments to nothing.” Sifu McLin notes there is a very valuable lesson within this saying, and it is “there is always something that you can do if you want to do something. If you really want to do it, you will find the work around and not let an excuse stop you.” McLin vividly remembers Fogg “taught us that we could do more than what we thought.” This, according to Sifu McLin, is the essence of the legacy of Grandmaster Fogg, “a legacy of hard work, a legacy of recognizing your own potential and having humility guide you in the process.”
Looking forward to seeing the legacy of Grandmaster Fogg, we look to the youth and ask how they intend to carry the Fogg legacy forward. In speaking with Tanny Nanbiar, 12 years of age, student of Seven Star Martial Arts in Austin, Texas, and Thomas Davenport, III, 10 years of age, student of Legendary Kung Fu and Tai Chi in Pineville, Louisiana, Grandmaster Fogg’s legacy is in good hands. Tanny realized from Fogg the importance of being straightforward in learning and teaching Kung Fu. He appreciates how Grandmaster Fogg demonstrates “different variations of a move and what it could be used for.” Tanny recognizes the influence by Fogg because “a lot of what my teacher’s Kung Fu came from is from Master Fogg.” Tanny will “definitely” pass down what he learned from Grandmaster Fogg. When Tanny came to realize that many decades from now, he will likely be one of the last people to have knowledge directly from Grandmaster Fogg, he explains “it feels unbelievable that I learned so much from him and I’m passing it down.”
Thomas quickly admits he “learned a lot of Kung Fu from Master Fogg, who is a great and wise teacher” and he is “so thankful of all the things he taught me.” Thomas fully intends to share what he learned from Grandmaster Fogg. Thomas explains, “I’m going to show and teach his Kung Fu for a long time.” The weight of being a legacy bearer set in when Thomas was informed he may be one of the youngest and last people to have knowledge directly from Grandmaster Fogg. While considering his responsibility, Thomas explains,” It makes me feel amazing” and “I will pass this Kung Fu down over years and years.” We believe Tanny and Thomas will do a fine job in carrying and promoting the legacy of Grandmaster Fogg.
From such a terrible beginning to life, there is no doubt Grandmaster Fogg accomplished the magnificent, especially in Kung Fu. This gentleman had every reason not to thrive, but like the determined weed growing from the cracks of concrete, he flourished and created a considerable legacy. He left an indelible mark on Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu and its students. We thank Grandmaster Fogg for sharing the treasure of Kung Fu knowledge through his teachings and books and creating the U.S. Kung Fu Exchange. We wish Grandmaster the best that life can offer for his retirement. We will always love, admire, and respect Grandmaster Raymond K. Fogg and his influence on Mantis Kung Fu.
1 https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/17/us/orange-county-church-doctor-hero
About author:
Thomas “Tommy” Davenport, Jr., is a trial lawyer in Pineville, Louisiana, and a professor of law at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Besides law, Tommy’s passion is writing and practicing Kung Fu and is a Black Sash in 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu under Sifu James McLin of Legendary Kung Fu and Tai Chi, L.L.C. in Pineville, Louisiana. Tommy is married to Marie Davenport, and they have two children, Thomas, and Marcie, who provided support, happiness, and love.
Sifu James McLin has over 30 years of experience with practicing and studying 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. He obtained the rank and title of “Sifu” through the United States Kung Fu Exchange under Grandmaster Raymond Fogg. He traveled all other the world to learn various styles of martial arts, including training at the world-famous Shaolin Temple in China. Sifu McLin received training in rare Chinese weapons, such as the Rope Dart, shuang jie gun, and Shaolin monk spade. Sifu grew up as a humble country boy in Central Louisiana and fell in love with the artistic yet effective movements of Kung Fu. Sifu McLin owns and is the chief instructor at Legendary Kung Fu and Tai Chi, L.L.C., located in Pineville, Louisiana. Sifu also wrote and illustrated the children’s book, Learn Kung Fu with Linny “The Little Dragon” (2010). He is married to Krista McLin.
