Do you think it is wrong for people to just buy or get a black belt and not earn it?

Question

I take karate and am testing for my black belt soon, and I've been training since I was5 (i did the little kids classes then) but I actually started real karate when I was about 7 and I'm 14 and just testing now. I've never failed a test or anything, we just have more things to learn then most other places. Anyway so I know at some karate places you basically fly through all the belts and can just get your black belt in a couple years. Do you think that it should take longer, and do you think that just being able to buy a belt belt to say you have one is wrong too? I think the whole point of having one, is saying that you earned it and it shows that you know how to protect yourself. Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

You're absolutely right. Having it and having earnt it are two different things.

But people who do not earn it will show it when they are asked something, and not know it. Where as you (the honest one) will be asked something one day, and you will know it.

Answer 2

you should take the longer one coz then you noe that you didnt take the easy way out and earned it more thatn anyone else didwho took the two year course

Answer 3

It is absolutly wrong. It disgraces all the athletes who have given their blood, sweat, and tears to their years of training. I am nowhere close to a black belt as I just started training Jiu Jitsu a year ago, and Muay Thai a year and a half (no belts in Muay Thai) and it already disgusts me to think of someone doing that. I can't imagine the anger it would bring to someone like you who has trained for years. Anyway congrats on your hard work and great achievement, go ace the test.

Answer 4

Wrong? No. Useless? Yes. Of course anyone can buy belts of any color, made in any style, from any material. But it doesn’t imbue them with skill.

Likewise I’ve always felt one shouldn’t’ receive a black belt until they show competency in all the skills in their system. I’m not a fan of associations that award black belts when there are still forms/techniques to learn.

Answer 5

yes..i think it should be earned...good luck to you :)

Answer 6

It shud be earned!

Answer 7

haha yeah its wrong!

Answer 8

Here's a great quote from Royce Gracie, and it's d**n true: "A black belt covers two inches of your a**, you have to cover the rest."

Answer 9

hu ya its wrong, that's cheating.

Answer 10

everything should be earned....i recently tested for what i thought was my green but to my surprise sensei said that he had me doing brown belt techniques(our system white green brown black with various levels of each)....i started to have second thoughts untill my test was half over and he made me demonstrate all of the techniques for both...then my test was finished and he shook my hand and told me congrats i finally felt i deserved the gift i had recieved...that day i was floating because i knew it was earned anyone that just buys a beltabove their rank can not know that feeling and therefore have to live with their own guilt good luck to you though many years finally paying off...wear it well my friend you deserve it...

Answer 11

yer thats funny.

i took a black masking tape, and wrap it around my yellow belt. and took a pic and its on myspace.

Answer 12

of course its wrong. a black belt does not mean anything with out the hardwork and commitment that goes along with it.

Answer 13

No; they can go ahead and buy one, but it won't mean anything. A true black-belt would whoop the posers butt in any fight.

Answer 14

I wouldn't really say it's wrong to buy a black belt...but it'd childish and stupid..haha

I also believe that it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get a black belt, if you've tested for it and passed, apparently you're good enough to be "a black belt."

Answer 15

well if your puting it on colege transcript, bribe the teacher for a black belt

if not keep taking classes

Answer 16

Of course its wrong, but don't forget the longer and harder its takes to earn it plus hard competition plus hard sparring will make you a superior black belt. It took me 5 and a half years to earn my black belt in kyokushin karate and mate it was hard work. The black belt grading lasted 7 hours and the katas and 50 2 minute kumite left me in bed for 4 days. A good friend of mine earned his black belt in Goshin ryu in 3 years. I full contact sparred him at a friends house and kicked the living christ out of him in under a minute. Nothing beats pain, persistence and honesty of yourself to earn something that takes patience and stamina to acheive.

Answer 17

It's the sign of a McDojo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDojo#Belt...

Something heavily looked down upon in the Martial arts community.

Answer 18

Basically Black Belt  apart from a status symbol carries a particular level of competence associated with it.If you go for a short cut you may have the Belt but not the competence.I feel you should go via regular channel as ultimately you can not fool around and can't cheat yourself.Give a serious thought before you decide.It is purely unethical and unprofessional.