Reassessing the Usefulness of the Bruce Lee Myth


In one sense, Lee is forever a tremendous asset to the martial art community
as his image and myth draws people to the arts. These fledgling martial
artists may then be retained for more noble and enduring reasons than a
desire to emulate someone whose example is questionable upon closer
examination.

Once a martial artist reviews the reality of Lee's strength, aerobic capacity
and personal character, a sober question must be addressed: should Lee's
myth be actively deconstructed among novice martial artists? Perhaps not.
That may be a function of maturity and be better emphasized in the later
stages of training and spiritual development within the arts. Instead, people
need a visual image to connect to and, until they begin to see their own
selves in growing competency, may need the myth of Bruce Lee to sustain their
training efforts.