Grandmaster Frazier’s School of Respect, U.S. School of Martial Arts, has some 200+ members. Some train at a main dojang and some at a private school location. Some students attend their Matt Hughes Cage Fitness(t) cardio system, some their A+ After School Martial Arts and the rest are benefitted by the Frazier family’s long-running, non-profit ministry. Although the emphasis is teaching children, teens and adults the art of Olympic-style, Moo Duk Kwan, Kukkiwon-certified, Taekwondo and Moo Moo Kwan, IHF-certified, Hapkido, they also offer accountable MMA that, in addition to taekwondo and hapkido, includes selected moves from Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Karate, Judo, and Boxing.
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One thing that Grandmaster Frazier obviously loves about his dojang is it’s diversity. He shares warmly about all the students from all over the world with different perspectives, coming from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, lifestyles, cultures, religions, political preferences and so on. It is clear that he feels privileged to be a part of what he calls the diversity-unification process—achieving harmony in the midst of diversity. He says, “one day, we asked a class of about 45, a random question about how many different languages were represented. As different students raised their hands to speak their native tongue, we counted 8 different languages, including English. We love the diversity that our program has.” He is passionate about this facet of his program, “It really enhances the martial arts experience. It is OK to disagree on things, as long as we don't equate disagreement with hatred. That simple principle can sure be a great stimulus for an atmosphere of worldwide education from a lot of different perspectives. That is what we seek. 
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There are some things, in any dojang, that are non-negotiable, such as timeless, ancient martial arts principles, hierarchy and so on, but one practice in the world, that we especially seek to initiate here at the School of Respect, is the practice of truth. Honesty, integrity, fairness, basic universal attributes that grow trust, and are the substance of character, are virtues based on truth that any martial arts school should aspire to have. Character is something that we can all afford to have more of, and without apology.” He waves his hand toward the countless sayings and quotes painted on the walls of his school, “As you can see these walls talk. The black belt point of poomsae “Koryo", “Seonbae" is: learned, righteous virtuosity and strong martial arts spirit. Truth is the one thing that we can gather around, no matter whether Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist, Christian, agnostic, and so on. Whatever religion, race, tongue or nation we are, it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, we should all be willing to gather around the truth.”
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At the School of Respect, it seems this is something that every student is encouraged to learn, know and practice. Grandmaster Frazier walks me to his office where I see pictures of almost 2 decades of martial arts experience on his walls. We relax together here, and from his desk he continues explaining what I am understanding to be one of his most important teaching points, the one from which all others flow, “There is nothing more important in life than the truth. Truth is the base from which all goodness comes. Truth is the one thing that can and will bring us all together. Something that I believe and say often to our classes, families and staff is... when a family, group of people, the community, and the world, makes the decision to come together around the truth and honesty, then trust can grow, harmony will follow, good communication will happen, solutions can be found and productive, prosperous plans and objectives for the future will be established. The fact of the matter is, truth can and will prevail if that is what we all seek.” |
He leans forward, looking me straight in the eye, as if he were, right now, speaking to an entire world of students, “you know what, when we’re talking about harmony amidst diversity, we have to talk about the very sensitive issue of abuse. I am not afraid to declare that I am an advocate against the victimization of women and children, or anyone for that matter. I will not tolerate spousal abuse or child abuse, mistreatment, or bullying of any sort. If I know this kind of behavior is happening, I will respond appropriately, as should be expected of anyone holding a position of authority.”
As I watch this man instruct his students, I can see these priorities he has built this dojang on, are proving themselves. This place is nurturing these people. This fertile atmosphere of learning is helping them achieve success, in whatever capacity of life the priorities that Grandmaster Frazier is teaching, are applied. At the School of Respect, you know that Grandmaster Frazier loves and enjoys his unique place in what he calls the “Diversity-Unification Process”.
