Sensei Clarence West

Sensei Clarence West was killed on Sunday November 23rd.  He died trapped in his dojo as it burned to the ground.

I began my training with Sensei West when I was 15 years old.  I received my first black belt under him at age 20.  I continued to visit his school and train with him through my time in college, law school, and the Army.  I ended my relationship with him at age 32 when I opened my own school.

Sensei West was “old school” by many accounts.  When I started training with him, his school was in a rough part of town where kids who couldn’t afford tuition washed his van in exchange for lessons.  His training methods were often unorthodox (what else do you call throwing metal chairs at your students?) and sparring was full of hard contact, sweeps, and take downs.  I wear a scar on my left foot from being tossed through a display case at his school that earned me 48 stitches.  His training instilled in me a street-sense and self-confidence that was sorely lacking for this momma’s boy.

He was a master of self promotion.  With his loud suits and louder personality he was the center of attention where ever he went.  I sometimes called him the Don King of karate.  But never to his face.

Despite his often overbearing nature, he had a good heart.  When my mother, sister, and I had to move out of my stepfather’s volatile home, Sensei West was there to ensure the safety of my family from any potential outbursts.  And to help carry our stuff to the car.

When I was ready to open my own school, I scheduled a meeting with him.  I told him my plans and how I wanted to teach many things that I had not learned from him.  He was not happy and did not try to hide his dissatisfaction.  He requested that I wear a neutral belt, with no indication of training under him or of my other styles of study.  And that is why to this day my belt, and the belts of the Black Belts promoted under me, bear no fancy embroidery or stripes.  That meeting, over five years ago, was the last time I spoke to Sensei West.

I often thought about trying to mend our relationship.  Especially after being a part of the Ultimate Black Belt Test with the test requirement of mending relationships.  As a member of Team 4, I thought about contacting him.  And think about it is all that I did.  As a member of Team 6, again I considered contacting him.  But hey, the test doesn’t “officially” start until January. . .

Now I will never mend our relationship.  I will have to live with knowing that I failed to do something my heart knew was right, but I did not do because I was overcome with fear.

To honor Sensei West, this past week I taught all students Yellow Belt and above the one form that I transferred from his system to mine without alteration.  It is our Brown Belt form that he called Sohn Hak Que.  You can view it by clicking here.

We are sometimes reminded that life is short and hesitation of action is almost always a mistake.  May Sensei West rest in peace.