I have had a lot to say recently about blackbelts, though more in terms of how they're obtained than the nature of them. So I would like to put out on the table for all to see my definitive thoughts on the the nature of a black belt.
I have seen a lot of different ideas of what a blackbelt should or should not be. I have seen a lot of comments made that the whole belt system should just go away. After all, it is a comparatively recent invention in the grand scheme of things and does not contribute directly to one's training or skill.
Well I hate to break it to the 'get rid of the belt system' crowd, but while I respect and to an extent agree with that perspective, belts aren't going anywhere. In the context of taekwondo, which is my primary art, the belt system was established by the time taekwondo was codified into taekwondo.
So since belts are here to stay, I find myself looking at the next best thing. Belts should have meaning. I don't mean philosophical or a 'look at me, I'm special' meaning, but an actual, honest, meaning. In the trades, we go from apprentice to journeyman to master craftsman. The medeival guild apprentice system from which those terms come starts with apprentice. The apprentice is taught basic skills of the trade. Once the apprentice has leaned enough and has produced a work of suitable quality, he was given the rank of journeyman and documentation of this rank by his master or by the guild of which he was a member. A journeyman then could travel about (hence the name, journeyman)and learn new techniques and methods. After a period of time and after producing a qualifying example of his craft, his master piece, he could be received as a master craftsman by the guild and was given documentation proving his rank.
That is how I see the belt system. The colored belts are a period of apprenticehship. The first dan test is the equivalent of a qualifying work of the craft, in this case, the martial art. The dan practitioner then learns more advanced techniques, perfects the basics, and take on a greater level of responsibility in the dojo or dojang. Then after a period of time, the dan rank practitioner tests for his master level. His or her test for fourth, fifth, or whatever dan the organization designates as master level is the martial artist's master piece.
The idea of the qualifying work transcends age, race, religion, or ethnicity. In the case of a blackbelt, the first dan blackbelt represents an effective fighter proficient in all the basics. The test should prove the testee's effectiveness and proficiency. Thus it should never be altered to account for age (very young or very old), gender, ethnicity, religion, or any other variable that we in the modern age like to compensate for. You must fight this many people, break this many boards, show this level of proficiency in form and technique and show this depth of understanding of the art's tenets and philosophy. The test should always be identical at its core, perhaps with some element added to specifically challenge different testees for those who feel that some personalization of the test is necesary, though personally I feel that the test should always be identical within a given art or school, with the personalization seen in the way that the individual testees approach the test.
My idea of what a blackbelt is is based entirely on proficiency, skill, and depth of understanding. When going for a bachelors degree, the tests are not modified for the rare high school or elementary school age student who shows aptitude to be in college early; the whole point of them being there is that they have the ability to run with the college age students. If the tests are dumbed down, then the achievement is meaningless.
Yet I see the opposite approach with black belts now. Test requirements are lowered for grade schoolers and the schools that give them their blackbelt feel perfectly justified in this, often bristling at the notion of making the kid wear a poom belt or some equivalent. Well, if the kid didn't take the same test, he or she shouldn't get the same belt. Don't do 'A' level work, you shouldn't get an 'A'. And just to clarify, I don't equate a blackbelt with an 'A', but you should get the drift of what I'm saying.
Ultimately, not everyone at their present level can pass a difficult blackbelt test. Some need more maturity. Some don't have the stamina at present. Some need to work on their technique. Some need to spar more. But a blackbelt should be representative of a uniform standard of competence. The standard should be applied uniformly to each testee, with no consideration for their background, age, gender, or whatever.
By the same token, the standard should not be artificially ramped up to keep anyone but a Dolph Lundgren circa 1990 level athlete from passing. It should not be artificially hard. I read in Blackbelt magazine a month or so ago about an 'ultimate blacbelt test' which took a year to complete. Interesting idea, and I'm not knocking it. But I see it as too much to simply prove a proficient and skilled practitioner. Maybe something like that for an eighth dan test, but not for a first dan.
The first dan test should prove one's mettle as a fighter in the style for which they're testing. No more, but no less. Yes, I know that that 'do' suffix denotes way, and that there's more to a martial art than just fighting. But the primary reason for learning a martial art is fighting or self defense. But for self defense, you don't need a martial art. Self defense comprises a skill set for a specific set of situations and does not automatically include fighting. Taking a good SD course and maintaining skill in the techniques is not fighting. Taekwondo is a fighting style.
So what about those cute little eight year olds? If they can pass the same identical test that the older students can, then give them the belt. But if you need to adjust the difficulty of the essay, the quantity of boards broken, or any other aspect of the test, then they haven't earned the same thing that the older student has earned. Which is why I am perfectly fine with poom belts or junior blackbelts that have a white stripe or are half black/half white. This shows that the student is well trained and skilled but lacks the maturity to assume the mantle of blackbelt. But don't put poom belts or junior blackbelts on kids with sloppy technique and lousy attitudes just to placate their whiney parents and don't set up your school to depend on BB testing fees. Doing that just makes the martial art look bad.
The bottom line for me is this: to be a blackbelt, one should be a proficient taekwondo fighter. That is my perspective. I've seen proficient fighters of both genders and in a wide range of age groups and across ethnic backgrounds. Keep the standard the same. Then it is truly equal. No favorites are played. And money is now out of the equasion.
In closing, I don't fault, look down upon, or otherwise disregard those who feel differently. I didn't write this to put those who feel differently in their place. I have heard a lot of differing, thoughtful views which I feel are legitamate views that I simply happen to disagree with. Sincere and dedicated martial artists, whatever their views on the subject, are not a part of the problem, but part of the solution and I don't feel that the logistics of belt qualifications should be a divisive matter between good and decent teachers and practitioners.
Daniel
Tags: Blackbelt First Dan Dan Rank
