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A black belt was once an awesome status. It not only signified a lifetime devoted to hard training and perfection of technique and character, it also carried with it an awesome responsibly.

Students, and the public, emulate black belts. They do not separate the black belt from the person, so, if they see a black belt outside the school, they see the person as a black belt, not as a regular person. Many times, black belts are watched outside the school without being aware they are being watched. This means black belts must exemplify the virtues of their martial art at all times, inside or outside the school. One false move at an unsuspected moment that is witnessed by an emulator may affect the person's entire life negatively. 

During his trial in 399 BC for being disrespectful by not keeping his opinions to himself, the Greek philosopher Socrates said he led "an examined life, that everything he said or did was scrutinized because of his position in society. However, Socrates also said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Being a black belt means you will be living an examined life, but, if you are up to the challenge, it will be worthwhile. If a person is unwilling or unable to perform as a black belt or to accept and uphold the awesome responsibilities of a black belt, then the person should neither be awarded a black belt, accept the black belt, or be allowed to keep the black belt.

All certificates or diplomas that are awarded for achievement have certain requirements that must be met before they may be awarded. If you cannot meet the requirements, then you do not get the award. You may not have attained the skills needed to meet the requirements, you may not be old enough, or too old, to meet the requirements, or you may not be mentally, physically, or emotionally able to meet the requirements. For an award to retain its prominence in society, it must enforce its requirements strictly. Any deviation from the requirements will weaken the status of the award. Giving the award just because the people tried very hard to meet its requirements, but, due to their age or mental, physical, and emotional abilities they could not meet the requirements, or giving the award as honorary award, lessens the status of the award, until at some point, it become meaningless This is true of black belt requirements and the black belt’s status.

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