The Legend Rests in Peace as his Spirit Continues to Soar through his Avid Following

By Minnie Chi

I am in no way a martial arts fan. I vaguely know the differences between certain sport styles like karate, kung fu, tae kwon do and judo. I too am one of those ignorant people that tend to label everything involving Eastern fighting techniques as "karate" even though I'm of Asian heritage, Korean to be exact. As a denizen of one of the world's most decadent entertainment meccas, my knowledge of martial arts is even further limited by these Hollywood action movies starring actors like Jet Li and Jackie Chan. What techniques do these guys use? How real are their fight scenes? Aren't these exalted fighting heroes merely Asian men selling high kicks and big fists to the impressionable mainstream audience?

A display of Bruce Lee comics. Courtesy of APA

What I was reminded of after having attended the second day of the first official Bruce Lee Convention at the Burbank Airport Hilton on July 13, 2003, is that "Martial Art, like any art, is an expression of the human being" as is stated on the cover of the schedule pamphlet. Chinese-American screen idol Bruce Lee expressed this thing called martial art like no other. I haven't seen many Bruce Lee films but I've seen him in action when they're shown on television at wee hours, not to mention posters and other types of iconography that stamp his extraordinary poise, perfectly cut six-pack abs and those piercing dragon eyes that never lose focus.

Fans, friends, trainers, students, co-stars, big-name martial art talents and the surviving members of the Lee family (wife Linda Lee Cadwell and daughter Shannon Lee Keasler who were nice enough to take a picture with me) came together this weekend to celebrate the work and memories that Lee left behind. The convention consisted of the world premiere of "The Making of Enter the Dragon," a never before seen screening of historic footage of Lee at the 1967 Long Beach Internationals, on-stage entertainment, martial arts demonstrations, a special Bruce Lee Foundation Scholarship dinner, and a mesmerizing exhibition of Lee memorabilia that contained rare photos from "Enter the Dragon," correspondence letters that were sent to and from Lee (courtesy of Warner Bros.), Bruce Lee comics, Bruce Lee collectible dolls, nunchaku (kung fu batons) used by Lee and a variety of fashionable outfits he wore on the set - and I must say, what a fashion icon he was!

The most interesting display inside the mini-Lee museum was Lee's handwritten personal mission statement that he titled "My Definite Chief Aim" signed and dated January 1969, which reads: "I, Bruce Lee, will be the first highest paid Oriental super star in the United States. In return, I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting 1970 I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession $10,000,000. I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness."

Though the international superstar died in 1973 from A cerebral aneurysm, Lee perhaps achieved more than he ever dreamed of as a golden legend who rose above the world of martial arts as a world-famous pop culture superstar.

Linda and Shannon Lee with an excited APA correspondent. Courtesy of APA

Lee created a self-defense form of martial arts called 'jeet kune do,' which consists of breaking rigid classical structures of fighting and creatively constructing a technique that works specifically for you. This was a radical philosophy that challenged conventions but Lee poignantly brought it to life. On film, he never compromised his raw fighting style and skill over cheap shots and camera trickery. Film artistry never overshadowed Lee's martial artistry.

But Lee was more than an extraordinary fighter. He had a clear philosophy and exceptional drive behind all of his works and this is what Linda Lee and her daughter along with several of Bruce Lee's private students aim to preserve through The Bruce Lee Educational Foundation that was founded in 1996. Some of the proceeds from the convention will benefit this non-profit organization that provides scholarships to students.

I didn't learn much about martial arts at the event but I left as an inspired admirer of the world's most intense martial arts figurehead. It would have been amazing to have watched Bruce Lee's career catapult if only he wasn't taken away so soon but his legacy lives and lies in good hands.

www.bruceleeconvention.com.

August 1, 2003