Doc is doing seminars in England right now otherwise I am sure he would have something to say. I have never heard Doc tell a story where Parker was either A) a racist B) one who would promote himself. Believe me I have heard the stories about Parker straight from Doc. While some would believe Doc didn't learn from Parker I find this laughable. All you have to do is take a look at who promoted Ed Parker Jr (Jr only used for clarification) to black belt.
In terms of credibility. Everyone has their own interpretation of events. Some claim Mitose was a genius. Some claim Chow didn't promote EP to black (as the article claims) With all the constant bickering amongst Martial Artists it's no wonder there is so much inacurate information.
Peronally, I don't subscribe to the "who promoted who" and "what rank are you" attitude. The evidence of the teacher is in the students. When you see an entire classroom and the orange belts move as good as the black belts, then you have a problem.
Who really cares where the information comes from? EP was a genius at codifying and describing the martial arts. We stand on his shoulders. On the foundations he built for HOW to THINK about the arts. Others continued with the foundations that EP created. Give credit where credit is due, but look to the students for evidence of a teachers skill. Graduating from Harvard does not mean you will perform well in your job area. It is a discriminator and should be given it's proper respect, but it is not, and never should be, the final word.
Credit is mainly due for Chow and Ark Wong, who both taught EP. If other people are on the list, so be it, but we shouldn't get caught up in the, "Well so and so showed him this little wrist flippy thing, so give him credit."
So was it Parker or Lee?
Who cares... my teacher learned from Parker and I believe his students are evidence enough of his skill.
Not trying to kill a thread, but this debate has been going on forever.
In terms of credibility. Everyone has their own interpretation of events. Some claim Mitose was a genius. Some claim Chow didn't promote EP to black (as the article claims) With all the constant bickering amongst Martial Artists it's no wonder there is so much inacurate information.
Peronally, I don't subscribe to the "who promoted who" and "what rank are you" attitude. The evidence of the teacher is in the students. When you see an entire classroom and the orange belts move as good as the black belts, then you have a problem.
Who really cares where the information comes from? EP was a genius at codifying and describing the martial arts. We stand on his shoulders. On the foundations he built for HOW to THINK about the arts. Others continued with the foundations that EP created. Give credit where credit is due, but look to the students for evidence of a teachers skill. Graduating from Harvard does not mean you will perform well in your job area. It is a discriminator and should be given it's proper respect, but it is not, and never should be, the final word.
Credit is mainly due for Chow and Ark Wong, who both taught EP. If other people are on the list, so be it, but we shouldn't get caught up in the, "Well so and so showed him this little wrist flippy thing, so give him credit."
So was it Parker or Lee?
Who cares... my teacher learned from Parker and I believe his students are evidence enough of his skill.
Not trying to kill a thread, but this debate has been going on forever.
