Being a Good Role Model Via The 'Net

"Are you a good role model?"

Sometimes I step back and ask myself this question, just to keep myself on the right track. Earlier this week while I was scrolling through Facebook posts I came across an article that shocked me a bit. Recently a school teacher was fired from her position because of the inappropriate content that she shared on her social media accounts. This individual tweeted numerous photos of herself engaging in marijuana usage along with several photos of herself naked or nearly naked.

This 23 year old has ruined her professional career when it was just beginning because she abused social media. It's articles like that that cause me to stop and reflect on how I present myself. Social media is an incredibly powerful tool and it's true what they say, "The Internet is forever." Negative posts, tweets, and comments attract far more attention that positive ones do, which is a sad fact. As deep as the social sharing has become it's not just what you personally post or share that your friends or followers can see; it's every like, comment and retweet as well. Your interactions with others are not private over the world wide web.

All I could think while I read that article was; "what if she had been a karate school instructor?" What if she had been an instructor in a school and fellow students or instructors saw her acting like that?

When people make you angry do you react blindly with emotions and ego bleeding through your fingers as fast as you can tap those keys? Or are you able to keep a level head and respond clearly and responsibly? Do you make an attempt to keep your matters private or are they splattered across your Timeline?

I'll admit, it's very difficult for me to keep my wits about me and respond rationally to something when a post angers me online; but I've gotten a lot better over the years and I have to credit Kenpo for that. Part of the 3rd Brown Belt Pledge talks about handling all grievances or disputes away from group observation. I feel had Mr. Parker created that pledge in 2013 it would read something along the lines of "I will handle all grievances and disputes away from group observation AND the Internet."

When you are teaching other people, especially kids, about the martial arts respect is one of the largest building blocks in the foundation of a good martial artist. Not just respect from students that are a lower rank than you but also respect for yourself. Being appropriate not only when you are face to face with other people, but also when you are sitting behind your computer screen. A good martial artist keeps their ego in check and their interactions appropriate. A good martial artist has respect for their fellow students, including those that are of a lower rank than them. It seems that the higher ranks automatically are shown respect, as it should be, however at some point everyone has been a White Belt. Lower ranks deserve respect too.

So next time you're typing out a status that's so full of your ego there's no more room on the screen, or you are about to share a raunchy photo, please please think of who may see it (everyone) and what the repercussions might be before you click that post button.