By Michael Travis
Editor in Chief
Bruce Lee was one of the greatest martial artists of the 20th century. America is the greatest and most powerful country in the world. There are more similarities between the man and the nation than most people think.
Martial arts provide a way for people to harness the tremendous power of the human body.
Often the training includes methods to kill another person with a single blow. However, instances where these moves are used are few and far between.
This is because those moves are only taught to the most advanced students, the ones who have achieved black belt status.
And attaining a black belt can take years. Sometimes it takes a decade. Common sense tells us that sticking with something that long takes skill, dedication, strength, and most of all, wisdom. You have to be good enough to cut it.
In fact, by the time someone learns moves that can kill people, they don’t even need to use them—because learning to fight is all about learning how not to fight.
This seeming paradox is simply explained.
Martial artists walk without fear. They know that if it ever comes to the bottom line, they will be able to use their skills to survive.
As Master Yoda said, “Fear is the path of the dark side.”
Fear drives people to do all sorts of evil things. Prejudice, hatred and war are all things born out of fear of the unknown.
If you don’t have a physical fear of anything, then you are free to examine it and deal with it mentally—and peacefully.
Lee is a perfect example of this principle. He had an extraordinary level of skill in martial arts. But he never used the power against other people — history doesn’t show instances of Lee going around beating up people he didn’t like.
In fact, Lee used his power to make a positive impact on the world.
Aside from making movies, he taught others his unique philosophy and physical fitness techniques that helped him rise to the top.
He also developed his own form of martial arts, called Jeet Kune Do, which is the only martial art to rely on the total freedom of the practitioner through combining several arts in one.
In fact, his example and philosophy continues to inspire athletes around the world. In short, Lee used his power for good.
The United States, like Lee, has tremendous power, albeit on a much larger scale.
Also like Lee, America has nothing to be afraid of—from anyone. It has the largest military and one of the strongest economies in the world, despite the fact that it took a hit after Sept. 11, 2001.
The country, like the man, has developed a powerful system based on freedom—democracy.
Thus the actions of the United States should reflect one that has been given such an influential gift of powers.
Instead of going to war with nations that it doesn’t like, the United States should teach them how to be successful and free without violence, because it knows that if and when it comes to a life-threatening situation or war, its military might will prevail.
Knowing this, America must not give in to the fear of possible terrorism and succumb to the violent, and easy, way out. It will only lead to suffering.
Iraq knows that it can never win a war against the United States. But Saddam Hussein will fight in the face of aggression anyway. He is afraid, and so he will fight.
And the fault is not his, it is ours—because the power lies in our hands.
The United States should not need physical violence to solve a political problem. There are other ways of solving it.
America should use its collective brain to figure a way around armed confrontation, setting an example that will inspire other countries and people around the world.
Just like Bruce Lee did.
March 20, 2003