Magic tricks and martial arts was a big part of the culture in the 70's and I was an avid lover of both. I took martial arts classes like most kids and practiced magic tricks daily between episodes of Bill Bixby's "The Magician" on TV. But there was one show that I dared not miss... Kung Fu with David Carradine. The movie "Billy Jack" also hit a chord with me but not as resonantly as Kung Fu. Hell I even shaved my hair off like the character in the series.

Kwai Chan Caine was like a physical and mental magician. He let his opponent hurt himself. He wasn't like that show off Bruce Lee that made everything look so imposable. Funny thing is; Bruce Lee was the one that had the idea for the show to begin with. They used the idea but used a calm white dude in his place. 

My own mentor Randi and his good friends have both bashed martial arts in public and I've not been able to speak with them on the subject. It remains a concern as to if I should work to educate people otherwise or stop calling what I do "martial arts". Since I've committed a dominant portion of my life to training it is no small matter.

I'd really like to hear from members of this group on the matter.