[학생기자 칼럼] Getting a Black Belt at Jang's Tae Kwon Do

Alice Lee/Mount Hebron High School 10th

At Jang’s Tae Kwon Do, one of the requirements to receive a black belt is to write an essay, explaining what was accomplished through taking Tae Kwon Do, as well as what getting a black belt means to the person. Personally, I found this rule very odd and unique upon obtaining the black belt. However, an essay does reveal how much Tae Kwon Do affected each individual participating in the sport.

Physical changes can be noticed through sparring and involvement in class, but the person‘s mental changes aren’t as visible to the eye. Hypothetically, if each person wrote an essay about how Tae Kwon Do impacted him or her, then how the person mentally changed would show through his or her writing. As for me, Tae Kwon Do has affected me in many positive ways, which also has influenced how I feel about receiving my black belt.

Before I began to take Tae Kwon Do toward the end of the summer of 2008, I absolutely disagreed with my mother who wanted me to go to some place so I could learn how to defend myself and learn part of the Korean culture. I refused and denied my own culture, telling myself I was just an American girl. I also hadn‘t liked the idea that I would be in a class full of younger children who would have to order me around. Looking back at how I felt at first reflects how insensitive I was to a sport that was really beneficial.

I had reluctantly agreed to begin taking classes at Jang’s Tae Kwon Do in Ellicott City, but on my first day, I was very embarrassed at my beginner skills. I, at first, could awkwardly follow along with the other black belts in the class with the exercises done for warm-up, and I still was resentful about taking a sport that I thought would take too much time from my studies. I had to remember phrases said at the end of class, to bow to Master Jang as well as senior belts ninety degrees, terminology in Korean, and so many things that I thought were quite silly to do.

I really did not like the idea of bowing to children much younger than me. Yet, my mother pushed me to always do better. Letting me give up was not an option. However, I went to the classes and I began to enjoy coming to TKD School. First and foremost, Tae Kwon Do forces the participant into physical shape, with the constant demand of stretching, sparring, and moving around in general. I am quite thankful for the physical activity that Tae Kwon Do persistently requires. My physical state would be in pretty bad shape if I hadn‘t joined the classes.

Another big aspect that our TKD School calls for is high respect for one’s senior. An example that is commonly displayed at our school is when senior belts teach the junior belts. Children as young as five years old are given the responsibility to take care of junior belts, no matter what the age is. This teaches them to be leaders and to respect their seniors because of the belt, not the age range. It taught me respect in many ways as well because I had to, myself, be respectful to the ones that were higher than me in TKD levels. Once learning respect, it also carries on to others outside of our TKD School. It gave me more appreciation for my grandmother, who does not attend TKD. Attending Jang‘s TKD has made me become more respectful to her, for she is my grandmother.

In addition to these characteristics, taking TKD helped me overcome effectively my mental difficulties with stress and disorganization. During academic classes, I use skills Master Jang taught in order to cope with all of my negative energy. Strong discipline has given me the ability to compose my thoughts, as opposed to being a rambunctious person. When I spar other classmates at my Tae Kwon Do school, I release any tension I have on my opponent, which also gives me the energy to fight and a chance to use some new unique forms. I’ve learned how to control my inner anger and stress better than ever.

Reflecting on how much I‘ve changed, I now have greater appreciation towards Tae Kwon Do. It will help me to pursue my dream to be a criminal lawyer; no matter what obstacle arise in the future, the skills I’ve learning in Tae Kwon Do will help me to never give up on following my dream. It may sound strange, but Tae Kwon Do gives me experiences to help me build a stronger foundation for life. Because I want to become a criminal lawyer and judge, this will help me mentally and physically to see the person with a clear and calm mind, and to not judge them with prejudice. Tae Kwon Do has positively influenced me to make up my mind at a young age. Going to TKD improved my mental health greatly, my attitude and actions.

Almost two years ago, I started with baby steps in martial arts; now I have earned my black belt. It is such an honor to become a black belt, from this long journey starting as a white belt. Though I have improved a lot in my attitude and behavior, I do realize that I have not reached the level of mental fitness I want to achieve. So, in my two-part goal, I have only accomplished the first segment. I only became the black belt, but I still have many years to reach the mental state I hope to achieve. Consequently, I am pleased to receive my black belt, in completing part of my goal for TKD, but I know that I still have a long way to finish it so with a stronger will than before I started.

But as a whole, Tae Kwon Do has had a great impact on me. It has helped me to be more collected and not be overly angry about something I would have been upset about before. Doing this sport has also taught me some pretty useful tactics that I probably will find handy in the future as a criminal judge/ lawyer. I am currently creating, with my classmates, a Tae Kwon Do club at Mount Hebron High School with the help of Master Jang. More than anything else that I have mentioned, it has allowed me to become confident to say that I am Korean American and that I am proud to be Korean. Being able to practice it so well has also given me the pride to claim it as part of my culture. This is how Tae Kwon Do has affected me most; so what does it mean to the rest of the world?