In Reply to: Re: Master Ahpo's message posted byStill Annoyed - YES! on May 06, 1999 at 11:48:16:
Of course you can see my "true colors". I don't HIDE my identity. Why do you not use your real name? Are you ashamed of who you are? I was a police officer. I was proud of being a police officer. I did not hide the fact that I was a police officer. I am also a 4th Dan in Tang Soo Do. I am not ashamed of being a 4th Dan in Tang Soo Do. I do not hide that fact. I was trained and tested in Korea in the Moo Duk Kwan. I do not hide the fact that I was trained in Korea by the Moo Duk Kwan. I used to be a member of the Federation. I have not hidden the fact I used to be a member of the Federation. I left the Federation because it would not answer my questions honestly and openly. I did not hide my reasons for leaving the Federation. I have continued to study and research TSD and the Moo Duk Kwan. I have not hidden my research from the MDK nor the Federation...nor have I hidden behind an alias when my research may not be popular with the Federation. I have continuously defended the Moo Duk Kwan and its founder Hwang Kee. I have not hidden my roots nor the facts surrounding these areas of study...even if they opened my art and therefore me up to attack. I have not always been interpreted correctly and many times my work has been edited so as not to reflect the intent of its message. I have not denied it was my work but have owned up to it and attempted to offer the totality of the work so it could be judged in its totality. I am not ashamed of the things I have done, the work I have accomplished nor the words I have chosen. I am proud to say I have stood up and made myself known and counted. I have not run away from myself nor my own words even when physically threatened. I am not ashamed of who I am, who I've been and who I am becoming.
Are you 'annoyed' yet? Why is that? Are you ashamed of who you are and why you can't speak as your own person?
Its time to take off the mask! Too many Federation members feel they HAVE to hide their identity to speak freely.
NONE OF THEM SHOULD FEEL THIS WAY! This is the failure of the Federatio leadership....not mine. I
am not trying to convince anyone to LEAVE the Federation.....but as TSD pratitioners...as MDK members,
they should be strong and brave enough to be their own persons...without fear of ridicule, admonishment and/or
recriminations.
A lot of lip service is given by the high ranking management of the Federation about Moo Do...it's meaning and
how to follow its path. If you are going to 'Talk the Talk' then you should 'Walk the Walk'. True 'Martial Ways'
mean not being ashamed of who you are, nor afraid to speak your mind, and espescially having the courage to
"STAND BY YOUR WORDS AND BELIEFS".
You know...this all started over Master Ahpo's letter.
Are YOU sure it is ME you are upset with?
JOHN HANCOCK, DAN NO. 24125
Chodan under Han Chi Sup, MDK, Seoul, Korea
Eedan and Samdan under Phillip Suttle, Huntsville, Al (Currently in Georgia)
Sadan under Dan Nolan, San Diego, CA (currently in Oregon)
Each of the above recieved their rank from the MDK. Master Han, to my knowledge
is currently assigned to the Headquarters Dojang in Seoul. Master Suttle was
personally tested and ranked 4th Dan by Hwang Kee himself. Master Nolan obtained his
Master Rank through the U.S.Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation.
I am not ashamed of my rank nor any of these men who ranked me. I will not
deny my roots, my teachers nor my beliefs. I will not hide....
AND I WON'T SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!