AMKAMK NewsletterNewsletter Volume 5, Issue 4 October 1993 c 1993 American Moo-Do Kwan The Day of the Warrior . Sunday, November 14 has the winner? I don’t think so. As incredible amount of written and just been announced as the date I said, Zambetti’s support comes phone support from of the CSTA annual meeting. Of from forty-five clubs. On the Taekwondoists across this course, all of the USTU regis- other hand, the opponent’s country. I have included one of tered clubs in California know support resides in about a dozen the most eloquent and passion- that it is also the election of clubs. Who really represents the ate letter in this AMK Newslet- state officers. The election has majority of USTU clubs in ter. already made a significant What do we know of our impact on the future of the U.S. opponents goals? Certainly, it Taekwondo Union. Normally, cannot be to continue running elections do not motivate the state in the same way. much passion in eligible Certainly, it cannot be that voters. That is not the case they want to represent the here. needs of the clubs. Cer- This election is tainly, it cannot be to nothing less than a run efficient and well challenge to the power officiated tournaments elite who control USTU where competitors, politics. Numbers just officials and all instructors released by the USTU are treated with dignity shows the intensity of the and respect. What do they power struggle. Professor offer? So far, we have only Robert Zambetti, the presiden- received apologies, not tial challenger, campaigned and changes. won the support of forty-five It is an ideological struggle. USTU clubs. His supporters California? So far, most of the It is not a personal issue. We registered a record 4200 mem- discussion regarding the immi- want the equality and demo- bers by the first week of August nent election has centered cratic process that is our right. I (90 days before a potential around who has the most votes. mentioned in an earlier editorial November 1 meeting date). I suggest that we should ask that we must fight for our rights Once the size of his constituency ourselves, “Why does each and not assume that some was known by the USTU, the candidate want to be elected?” benevolent authority will give opposition made an effort to We know Zambetti’s reasons. them to us. Martial artists must surpass Zambetti’s numbers. He clearly stated them in his be warriors. We must show our That effort propelled the mem- platform statement earlier this students that being a warrior is bership of California to 8,681 or year. He has verbalized the not just kicking and punching. I five times the size of the next slogan, Courtesy-Dignity-Integ- predict that our opponents will largest state. rity, as the philosophical key- be stunned by our commitment, The stage is set for a climac- stone of his campaign. Zambetti our unity and our courage. How tic struggle. Should we assume has struck a chord with Ameri- could it be any other way? The that the group who garnered the can instructors regardless of world is watching. most votes through questionable race, ethnic group or gender. USTU registration procedures is Our campaign has received an 20 October 1993 93-112 Master Jack L. Amsell American Moo Do Kwan 52 E. Orangethorpe Avenue Anaheim, California 92801 Dear Master Amsell: First of all, let me thank you once again for continuing to send me your newsletter, even though I no longer live in California. I enjoy reading your publication, not only because of its excellent quality, but also because the viewpoints and opinions expressed often times mirror my own feelings about Taekwondo. It is nice to know that I am not alone. I hope that Professor Zambetti is successful in his campaign to become the next USTU California State President. I need not tell you that the entire USTU community (and I suspect the world) is watching and waiting for what will eventually become an American Revolution in Taekwondo. Profes- sor Zambetti is an extremely capable man whom one day will most probably become the first non- Korean USTU President. Frankly, I do not know of anyone except Professor Zambetti who has the right combination of vision, age, experience, desire and support who could fill those shoes. That the revolution is a reality is no longer in dispute. There is a pervasive feeling that the sheer demographic composition of the USTU will soon (within the next four or five years) manifest itself into a situation where Americans will have a significant, if not controlling voice over policy matters that were previously the domain of a small group of world champion masters. This group apparently feels, and rightly so, that whatever happens in California will have a domino effect into other states. Clearly, the Zambetti platform has been instrumental in sending a powerful message of the way things will be in the very near future, no matter what the outcome of the California State Taekwondo Association elections. I sometimes wonder whether American control of the USTU is really a good thing, since Ameri- cans have a notorious world-wide reputation for imperialistic exploitation. I have seen too many American instructors exploit and use their students (treat them like chattel?), just as they were exploited and used themselves. However, I strongly believe your position of Courtesy Dignity Integrity is the correct one, and I have no question in my mind that Professor Zambetti has done, and will continue to do, much to promote Taekwondo in a positive and constructive manner. I can sympathize with those instructors, Korean and non-Korean, who support your efforts but for whatever reasons feel they are unable to voice that support publicly. I, myself, sat back for years, fearful that any “boat-rocking” statements or actions, on my part, would cause negative repercussions that would plague me for the rest of my Taekwondo life. Partially due to Professor Zambetti’s indomitable spirit and courageous example, I have since come to the realization that now is the time to seek out and connect with similar-minded individuals like yourselves for the purpose of changing the course of Taekwondo to a more productive and equitable direction. Further, I would also like to encourage all instructors and masters to do the same. Remem- ber, the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of moral crisis, do nothing. I want to wish you good luck and much success in the upcoming elections. Very truly yours, Glenn H. Uesugi THE HAWAII TAE KWON DO CHUNG DO KWAN USTU Club #10 GHU: jp cc: Professor Robert W. Zambetti News Briefs ... CSTA Meeting mental training during the 5 PM will be conducting his excellent Sunday, November 14, 3-7 hour. We will continue to Kukkiwon technical and poom- PM will be the date and time of monitor attendance to see if the seh clinic for northern California the CSTA Annual Meeting. It schedule is beneficial. instructors Saturday, November will be held in the Dynasty In addition, we will intro- 13 at Taejin Korean Martial Room of the Oxford Palace Hotel duce monthly student evalua- Arts, 1074 Valencia St. in San located at 745 S. Oxford Ave. in tions. Those sessions will be Francisco. Instructors inter- Los Angeles. used to review each student’s ested in attending need to The items to be covered progress and to gain feedback on contact Prof. Zambetti at (510) according to the agenda are: the class operation. Formal letters 881-3067 or Tim Ghormley at report of the officers and com- will be distributed in November (415) 550-6888 immediately. mittee chairmen, a financial inviting students and parents to Grandmaster Yun will be report, the revised state bylaws, schedule appointments. covering Session I, Kukkiwon bidding for the state champion- Terminology, and Fundamental ships, refereeing and coaching C-D-I Tee-Shirts Techniques and an abbreviated seminars and the election of One result of our special Session II and III, Taegeuk and officers. tournament last month was the Koryo Poom-seh. Grandmaster The AMK endorses the production of a beautiful tee- Yun only accepts Red and Black candidacy of Prof. Robert shirt by Best Martial Arts Belts for this special clinic. Zambetti, and we are expecting Supply (Sang Moo Sa). We have a large turnout of his support- obtained the remaining supply So. Cal Wildfires ers. Zambetti credits his over- of shirts in child-large and adult The final weeks of October whelming support outside his medium, large and extra-large and the first week of November local area to the efforts of key sizes. We are making them have brought disastrous wild- campaign managers and advo- available for $15. Special fires to the southern California cates. They are Master James discounts are available for area. Many families lost all of A. Wilson, Master Pedro Lopez, schools. Master Amsell is their possessions. The AMK David Howell III and Keith hopeful that dedicated members would like to encourage those Jones in southern California and of our United Taekwondo Fel- who have the means to donate David Johnson in central Cali- lowship will proudly display our the American Red Cross Disas- fornia. logo of Courtesy-Integrity- ter Relief Fund. The American Dignity as a statement of our Red Cross is always there in New Schedule goal for the future of U.S. times of need. They depend on The AMK is attempting to Taekwondo. the charity of the community to fine tune its schedule to better strengthen their effort in these meet the needs of its members.