Hazing and Martial Arts Training: A Correlation?
If I actually said this stuff to my teachers, I would NOT be killed.
I'd be laughed at, and told "So What You Big Baby?!?!?"
Hazing and Martial Arts Training: A Correlation?
I came across a few anti-hazing web sites on the internet.
I laughed,
especially at the squirrel one, until I realized that someone else may
look at my martial arts training as hazing. (Like I would CARE if they did!)
The FIPG (Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group) defines hazing as:
"Any action taken or situation created,
intentionally...to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment,
harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited
to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of
excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests,
treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities
carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing
of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste;
engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating
games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with
fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the
educational institution."
Of course, the exercises, tournaments, testing ceremonies, customs and
sparring ARE consistent with the spirit of the Martial Arts, since the
Martial Arts are about COMBAT and CONFLICT, so we need to be in some kind
of shape, have SOME tolerance for physical discomfort, be able to keep a
level head in a confrontation, show respect for our juniors and seniors, and
so on. That's why we do it!!
COMPARING AND CONTRASTING MARTIAL ARTS TO HAZING
- Some frats never do anything with the pledges.
Hmmmn...This reminds me of how former teachers would not do the
LET-ME-STAND-ON-THE-INSIDE-OF-YOUR-LEGS-UNTIL-YOU-SCREAM
inner thigh stretches with us. Or how at some schools, the head instructor
NEVER teaches or participates in classes with the underbelts.
- Calling newbies "pledgie" or any other demeaning name. Hey, have some teachers addressed you by your belt rank, not your name. It's not demeaning, but definitely not personable either.
- Quiet times for pledges. I must admit, I wish that certain former teachers and classmates of mine WERE more silent!!!
- Any form of demerits. One personal example: I have been scolded for only coming to class once a week, with attendance card in hand, after you told the guy you can only come to class once a week BECAUSE I HAVE A WIFE AND SMALL CHILD WHO NEED ME.
- Requiring pledges to call members Mr., Miss etc. Well, don't we call blackbelts "Sir", "Ma'am" or by an Asian title, even if the blackbelt is NOT Asian.
- Harassment/verbal abuse. I've been harassed by an ex-teacher for studying under someone in the past he didn't like. Another teacher scared me because of his obsession with a former student.
- Scaring pledges with what happens in the initiation. I've heard horror stories about what goes on for some blackbelt tests, and taken some pretty demanding belt tests as well.
- Depriving pledges of privileges. Like the "privilege" to have a LIFE outside the martial arts.
- Asking the pledges questions under pressure. Has anyone made you counting from one to ten in a foreign language while doing jumping jacks and/or pushups? PRESSURE.
- Requiring pledges to wear ridiculous costumes or perform ridiculous activities. How about our uniforms? Or, have you ever seen
students perform katas in the middle of the mall to the tune of
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony!! Yes, it does happen.
- Requiring pledges to perform stunts that can be considered demeaning. A frequent, personal example: "Hey Cecil, let me use you to demonstrate the new jujitsu moves tonight. You're a big guy!!" (Bone cracking, thuds, and grunts at regular intervals.)
- An overwhelming pressure to conform to the group. Some schools want students to turn their brain and soul over to the Master Instructor, whom you may NEVER leave without disapproval!!
So what's the point of all of this? I certainly hope that getting that
next belt or learning that next technique is NOT the only reason you train.
If so, you may be merely pledging instead of learning all the deeper things
the martial arts can bring to you.
TRAIN HARD AND SMART. I KNOW I WILL!!!!
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