Wrongfully Accused - Media's Portrayal of "Karate"

My heart often skip a beat everytime google or yahoo has some newsbreaking headlines stories that screams " KARATE teacher covicted" , "KARATE Teacher charge with Molestations", "KARATE instructor killed innocent bystanders", KARATE instructor did this" , "KARATE instructor did that"...etc

While reading deeply into some of these stories, It occurs to me that the majority of these convicted "KARATE" instructors aren't karate instructors at all.

I realized that the media of whom we greatly trust are simply and ignorantly inserting "Karate" or "Martial Artist" when reporting news that has something to do with domestic violence, rapes and other felonious wrong doings.

Why ? Because, the media just like the general populace are not well versed in history and tradition of karate. But I still wonder why the media can't write something Black and Blue plumbing employee convicted of assaults !

Hmmmm....Perhaps, the media has this pre-conceived view that Karate must be the main caused of all these violences.

Maybe I am a purist or maybe I'm the only one bothered by this. I still believed that the media should try to do a bit research before assuming that every martial arts is "KARATE" and every child molesters are "karate" Instructors. My understanding is that Journalist supposed to report "Facts" not fiction.

Don't get me wrong, I don't plan to paint Karate as a saint here. I am sure that we have our share of convicted felons who trained in traditional karate-do in our midst. It just seems to me that every convicted or alleged criminals reported by the media are practitioners of Karate !

This blog will served as my medium to undo the damages done the media and their so-called sense of integrity. Here are few headlines:

Headline #001: Popular Karate Instructor Arrested !
Writer: Melissa Maeyer
Media: KVII News 7 (Texas)
News:Nelson Dewey Harvey was arrested on two counts of indecency with a child.
Facts: Nelson Dewey Harvey is the owner and operator of the Harvey's Tae Kwon Do Center in Amarillo.

Headline #002: Martial Arts Instructor Is Accused of Sex Abuse
Writer: Don Kazak
Media: Paloaltoonline.com
News:An instructor at a Menlo Park karate studio was arrested Monday night and charged with 16 counts of child molestation and illegal sexual activities with minors.
Facts: Menlo Park Police Commander Steve Lewis announced the arrest at a news conference Thursday. Lewis said two victims of the alleged crimes have been identified so far, both of them boys, and both of them students at Kim's Tae Kwon Do marital arts studio at 562 Oak Grove Ave.

Headline #003: Karate instructor indicted
Writer: Adam Dolge
Media: Seacoastonline.com
News: Keith Ingraham, 55, formerly of 58 Schanda Drive, was indicted in Rockingham Superior Court on four charges of child pornography, six counts of falsifying physical evidence, and two charges of criminal solicitation to falsify physical evidence, according to court records.
Facts: BRENTWOOD - A former Newmarket tae kwon do instructor

As I have a limited amount of posting allowances for this blog, I can only show few of the hundreds of blatant misused of "Karate" by our trusted media.

The Fallacy of Bushido

Bushido is commonly translated as "ways of the warriors". This is the most misrepresented propaganda used by” karate” academies that has no absolute understanding of this word or its history.

Historically, The code of the Bushido was for the Samurai to have an absolute acceptance of Death not life. Bushido's virtues are not about about being soft, compassionate and respectfull. The Samurai trains in the art of war thus the ultimate objective is to kill and to die with honor.

The Samurai did not have the time to think about world peace or respect for others. They have a duty to their lords. To protect and to conquer the enemy. The code of bushido also requires the follower to commit to the ritual seppuku when he dishonors himself or his retainers.

Unless you can follow the code to the letter and its original intent. You have rights to call yourself a true follower of the Bushido code. However, if you choose preached this code based on your personal convoluted and misguided understanding and interpretation of “bushido as the kinder and gentler version. Please do history a favor and don’t call what you think you know as “Bushido”.

Karate - Gendai Budo

The martial arts of Japan and Okinawa falls into two categories. One is called "koryo" or ancient style. Gendai Budo means modern martial or martial arts created after the meijji restoration.

Karate falls into the Gendai Budo category. Karate origin can be traced as far as back in in the 1300 in Okinawa. However, the word "karate" was not established until 1933, the Okinawan art of karate was recognized as a Japanese martial art by the Japanese Martial Arts Committee known as the "Butoku Kai". Until 1935, "karate" was written as "唐手" (Chinese hand). But in 1935, the masters of the various styles of Okinawan karate conferred to decide a new name for their art. They decided to call their art "karate" written in Japanese characters as "空手" (empty hand).

As for karate styles doing business outside Okinawa and Japan that can be found at every street corners, community centers and gyms, these styles were established after world war II. Although, there are few styles that were established during the 1920-30's such as Shorin Ryu, Wado Ryu and Goju Ryu... ( have no fear , more will be added later).

With this fundamental information, YOU as a prospective student in search of a true martial arts from Japan and Okinawa should be extremely wary of schools that lay claims to have 2000-5000 years lineage. Unless they can provide some sort of documentations in form of ancient scroll or writing worthy of a Smithsonian Institute curator wet dreams. The preferred technique of avoidance is to run as fast as you can !