Fractured Integrity
Hello. I am Ninja Writer 17. And this is the story of how I first experienced true, genuine betrayal. Sorry, but this won't be told through the lens of another story this time, like A Tribute Long Overdue. This is one I want to tell straight out. But this is a long and involved story, so please, allow me to start at the beginning.
When I was only four years old, I had discovered the Power Rangers through the TV show Wild Force. I instantly fell in love with it. The suits, the powers, the Zords, but most of all, the action. I clearly remember the first time I saw the Rangers fight. It was mesmerizing. I told my Mom that I wanted to learn how to do those things too. So, a few months later, she had found me a Karate school to attend. I'm not sure what she had expected it to evolve into at the time, but the action of signing me up for those classes would lead to a lifetime of experiences that would change me as a person forever.
The classes were difficult and, at times, tedious. I didn't always appreciate the minor nuances of the training. I struggled, I suffered, and I doubted myself several times. But, whenever I did, somehow, Master Bruno, my instructor, always found me. And he would talk to me openly, and honestly. And he would listen to my worries, fears, or anything really, and he'd guide me on what to do. Because of this, I will always admire and respect him for how impactful his training and guidance has been for me. It was under his instruction, that I was able to achieve my First-Degree Black Belt. Yes, First-Degree. The long and short of it is that Black Belt is nowhere near the ending of training.
Soon after, I was required to move, but I was able to continue training with a Grand Master Min. It was so different and so much more difficult than before, but using all that Master Bruno taught me about perseverance and determination, I pushed through and became better for it. There, I achieved my Second-Degree Black Belt. I was proud of my accomplishments, and loved Martial Arts for what it has been doing for me.
Sadly, it was not to last.
When I moved to Lubbock Texas, it was much more difficult to find a Karate School to continue my training. We found one that was just starting out as an event at a Community Center. When I first joined, it was strange, but still the same training, same discipline, same integrity.
Before I move on, I need to explain a few more details. My Martial Art is Tang Soo Do. The short answer to what it is, is that it's near identical to Tai Kwon Do. The only major differences are that Tai Kwon Do focuses more on competitive training for tournaments and the like. Tang Soo Do, however, trains with more focus on traditions. These traditions heavily enforce several key traits.
Perseverance. The will to press on through challenges and not back down.
Respect. Honoring your superiors and expecting only what is earned by your own merits.
Diligence. The drive to never stray from your chosen path, regardless of distraction or temptation.
Integrity. The upholding of morals. The protection of what makes something hallowed or otherwise important.
This story mostly focuses on Integrity, as you may have deduced by the title alone. The school I joined in Lubbock for Tang Soo Do is called West Texas Karate, and still is in operation at the time of this being posted. And that is an offense to me. Why? Because of what Chad Hinkle (Yes, he's a real person, and yes, that's his actual name) did to me.
He took over the school when it got its own building to hold proper classes in. He started out as I had expected of him. He focused on the traditions of the art and respected it as much as I did, if not more so. He helped me improve from where I was, taught me forms and techniques I had never dared to try before. I hadn't revered him as I do Master Bruno, but I respected him for sure. So much so, that I asked him to teach me how to be an instructor.
This was part of my life goal dream at the time. I wished to run my own Martial Arts Studio. One that would hold special classes for those with disabilities. Having disabilities, myself, I speak from experience when I say that Martial Arts can help drastically with someone struggling through them, and I wanted to offer them a judgement free place to improve their bodies, minds, and spirits. Chad, at first, was thrilled to hear my request.
I would be his assistant in teaching many of the classes throughout a day. And I appeared to be doing well. I took the role seriously, and became well liked by the students and parents that stayed to watch the classes. Sadly, this is where the story turns sour.
I hadn't noticed it at first, but Chad had been slowly focusing more on the commercialism of running a studio than the traditions and training of students. I figured it was expected, since the school was still new, and didn't give it a second thought.
I started to notice the change when I stopped being allowed to assist the instructions. Instead, I was asked to just sit and watch. "Learn by observation" he told me when I questioned him. Weeks pass and nothing changed. Months pass and I'm still just sitting on the bench. Then, finally. I received news that shook me to my very core.
I had been attending therapy at the time, to help with anger issues that had been developing from High School because, well, because it's High School. One day, I walk into the room with my therapist to find my parents sitting on the couch with downhearted expressions. Chad had sent them an email, regarding my "recent activity."
It claimed I was flirting inappropriately with other students. That I was boasting how I had reached the rank of E-Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) before Chad did. And that I had been touching his toddler daughter sexually.
I was, about 17 or 18 when this happened, so a guy flirting with a girl isn't as big a deal as he made it seem. While I know what event caused him to think this, I know it was bogus. The girl I was speaking to, whose name I do not remember, was concerned because she was having guys at her school acting like pigs, to summarize it. I was giving advice on how to avoid them, and instructed her on some self-defense techniques intended for those kinds of circumstances.
While it is true, I became an E-Dan first, I never bragged about it. I still owed Chad for bringing me to the level I had reached (or so I thought, at least). I only ever mentioned it when it would come up in conversation with the parents, and I was always humble about it. I never considered the E-Dan rank to be as big an accomplishment that he thinks I do. It's something that anyone can do with enough hard work.
That just leaves the big one. I want to say this right now, I have no idea what he is talking about. I was familiar with his daughter, but most of the time, I simply stood by the door of the room she was in so she wouldn't wander in while her father was busy with a class. I barely had any contact with her. The closest thing to "inappropriate touching" was when she'd want a high five for doing a Kart Wheel properly. That was it.
My parents knew that everything Chad was accusing me of was nonsense and lies, and reassured me of as much. But that didn't really matter at the moment. The damage had been done. Chad Hinkle threw away integrity and attempted to get rid of me through baseless rumors.
Why? My only guess is that he saw me as a threat of some kind to his credibility. If he truly thought that, he should have approached me and told me as much. I would've gladly worked with him to calm his worries. But instead, he chose to betray me. The first real betrayal I had ever faced as an adult. I didn't know what to think, and for a short while, I couldn't think. I could only feel fear, sorrow, and anger.
After that incident, I stopped attending West Texas Karate and spread the word about what he did to me to anyone who would listen. My Father brought the incident to the attention to the highest authorities of the Federation that West Texas Karate is (or at least was, don't know anymore) associated with. What happened to Chad Hinkle as a result? I don't know.
I had put away my uniform, hid it and all my equipment out and away from my sight. I quit training for years before trying again with someone that Master Bruno had recommended to us, after hearing about what happened. I did my best to give it an honest effort, but I just couldn't do it. No matter how hard I tried, I would always remember what I felt the day I learned what Chad tried to do to me. I've let what he did hold me back for long enough. No more. I will not let him have any more power over me.
If you are a student of West Texas Karate, I urge you to seek a new school. That one has no respect, and no integrity. If you know someone who attends West Texas Karate, please reach out to them and tell them this story. Chad Hinkle does not deserve his rank, and does not deserve anyone's respect. If you disagree with me, that is your choice. But I know who he is. And I know what he did. And I'd be willing to bet, I was not the last.
I know that this isn't the kind of thing that people expect from me, but I felt I needed to finally let the story out, so I can start the process of recovering from what he did to me. Don't worry, I'll get back to my two big projects straight away. Until then. That's it for this story.
And Chad, if you're reading this, for God-knows-whatever reason. You know exactly who I am. I'll never forget. And I'll never forgive.