Sneaker culture is a relatively young niche compared to others under the fashion and footwear umbrella. Fashion historians often overlook certain subcultures in favor of older or more notable ones. Sneakers books are becoming more popular as the sneaker world continues to widen.
Books are always one of the purest forms of history. Sneaker books showcase stories, articles, opinions, and standout sneakers. As time goes on, more history will be shared and focused on just like any other subculture that floats towards the mainstream.
Historical Sneaker Stories
Countless sneaker books often focus on recent history and latest news, releases, and best of lists. However, there are some intriguing stories that delve into how major and smaller companies alike found a lasting role in the sneaker world. Everyone knows Nike, Adidas, and Puma. Not many people know the history of the household brands and their humble beginnings.
Adidas and Puma have close ties that started decades ago in Germany. Sneaker Wars: The Enemy Brothers Who Founded Adidas and Puma and the Family Feud That Forever Changed the Business of Sport by Barbara Smit focuses on how two brothers founded major sportswear companies that are both well-known across the globe. Athletic footwear brands historically began outside American borders. Germany brought two sportswear brands into the athletic apparel and footwear world in a rather short period of time.
Smit highlights the battles between the Dassler family that ultimately led two separate labels. Both of the German brothers grew up without any ill-intentions towards each other. When they went into business, things shifted drastically. Their falling-out led to two different family companies instead of just family brand.
Oregon Trail
Phil Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential figures in the footwear industry. When he first started out, not many people believed in him, even his own friends and family. If it weren’t for his perseverance and relentless determination, the most popular footwear brand today might very well be one from overseas. In his memoir he goes into great detail about all of the trials and tribulations he had to go through before he saw any sort of success. Nike represents one of the greatest stories to come out of the American sports apparel and footwear industry.
Officially founded in 1972, in Beaverton, Oregon, the corporation started from humble beginnings. The future of Nike was looking bleak when Knight first started his journey before officially founding the world-renowned sportswear company.
Knight attended the University of Oregon where he met Bill Bowerman, one of the most iconic American track and field coaches in the history of the sport. Phil Knight kept close ties with Bowerman that would be integral to the rest of his life. The two ultimately became co-founders of Nike, one of the world’s most recognizable sportswear brands of the late twentieth and the entirety of the twenty-first century so far.
Shoe Dog, goes into great detail about Phil Knight’s personal life, his early days of his entrepreneurial journey, and the Nike days up until the mid 2010s. Since being published in 2016, the memoir has been widely accepted and recognized as one of the best sneaker books of the past decade. Bill Gates even named Shoe Dog as one of his favorite books of 2016. Any Nike fan or sneaker enthusiast should check out Phil Knight’s memoir.
Best of 2018-19
Every year, the best sneaker lists are released after long waits. Collaborations typically make up the majority of the lists with very few exceptions. Sneaker books that recap particular releases throughout the years are always interesting to look back on.
Many collabs stand out effortlessly in this short period of time. Union, Travis Scott, and Off-White had memorable sneakers released that many enthusiasts will never forget. Out of Stock Sneakers: 2018-2019 showcases some unforgettable rare sneakers in a unique and unconventional way. King-Masa effortlessly makes this read easy and enjoyable. Anyone looking to add to a coffee table collection should seek out this publication.
Non-fiction books provide invaluable information when properly written and stories are effectively portrayed. Malcolm Gladwell focuses tying past events, influential individuals’ experiences, and important occurrences to relatable current day situations. Written storytelling has started taking a backseat to digital instances through visual and audio concepts.
Gladwell’s global reads realize the importance of keeping often forgotten stories alive; he emphasizes the significance of events which most people would deem inconsequential and insignificant to world history. Every small occurrence, no matter how nonessential they may seem, provides an opportunity to learn through others’ experiences.
Studying others’ experiences is the next best thing to learning from one’s own encounters. The author stresses long lost stories that might not seem like much in the grand scheme of things. All of Gladwell’s global reads follow a similar pattern of connecting past events to relate to the present and future. Malcolm Gladwell’s storytelling is unique and incomparable as he sets himself apart from other nonfiction authors. Nobody brings ordinary events to life like the English-born Canadian author.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Since being originally published in 2000, Gladwell focuses on how little things come to make a noticeable difference in the long run in The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. A tipping point is defined as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” This point propels occurrences to a new height; things almost always change slowly over time, but with a tipping point, there is a noticeable impact that is felt almost immediately. Gladwell explains how social epidemics come about; trends and products spread like a wildfire once they reach the infamous point which leads them to a new dimension.
There are three essential rules of the Tipping Point: the Law of the Few, the Stickiness Factor, and the Power of Context.
The Law of the Few states that a select number of powerful people have a noticeable impact on social epidemics. As Gladwell articulates, “The answer is that success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts” (Gladwell, The Tipping Point 33). The psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment in the late 1960s in an attempt to solve the small-world problem. Human beings are more connected that most people would expect.
In fact, Milgram’s experiment brought about the concept of six degrees of separation. However, all degrees of separation are not equal. Gladwell’s global reads explains how six degrees refers to the fact that “a very small number of people are linked to everyone else in a few steps, and the rest of us are linked to the world through those special few” (Gladwell, The Tipping Point 36-7). People know others based on the individuals they already know; acquaintances are typically met through existing friends and connections. In addition, the author explains how a social circle looks more like a pyramid than an actual circle; a single person or a few people at the top contribute a majority of the relationships in one’s life compared to others who are lower on the pyramid.
The Stickiness Factor refers to messengers and how they make social epidemics spread. Substantial content and the power of a messenger attribute to the “stickiness” of a particular message. Under the right circumstances and presented in a specific way, a message often finds itself memorable and attractive to the desired audience. Gladwell describes how the Stickiness Factor is similar to the Law of the Few. For instance, he states, “There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible. All you have to do is find it” (Gladwell, The Tipping Point 132). For a defined messaged to contain a high level of “stickiness” requires a memorable concept that usually calls for some sort of action. Ideals must stick with an individual to gain any sort of traction before becoming a social epidemic.
Malcolm Gladwell’s third rule, the Power of Context, is as undoubtedly important as the previous two. He realizes how, “Epidemics are sensitive to the conditions and circumstances of the times and places which they occur” (139). Contextual adjustments typically tip epidemics more than most people would think. An environment will make or break a social epidemic; even the most minuscule details affect immediate surroundings. Whether an event occurs during the day or night, in the winter or summer, or in the Americas versus Asia all contribute to the likelihood of an epidemic tipping. Exact and rather ideal circumstances determine how society will react to a particular product or widespread concept. Context changes everything, often with the snap of a finger.
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
In one of his most recognized books, Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell takes a deep dive into what separates the successful from the average and mediocre. Outliers are people whose achievements deviate from the norm; due to various reasons, a person’s full potential is not always achieved. Gladwell details how hard work and talent alone do not lead to success. Continuous time and effort over a prolonged period paired with favorable circumstances lead to some sort of lasting success.
The 10,000 hour rule is an essential concept that is often talked about when discussing a particular expertise. It usually takes about ten years to become a chess grandmaster- an exclusive title that requires countless hours of wins and losses to learn from. Gladwell explains that, “Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness” (Gladwell, Outliers 41). Ten thousand hours roughly translates to about ten years. Nobody gets better at anything without putting in endless time and energy.
In any case, ten years of focusing on a particular skill requires relentless determination and willpower. Practice is not something to be taken lightly, but instead, “It’s the thing you do that makes you good” (Gladwell, Outliers 42). Rehearsing the same skill can get monotonous at times; the ten thousand hours will not magically land on someone’s lap. To reach any type of worthwhile greatness requires continuous practice over an extended length of time.
In addition to innumerable hours dedicated to honing in on a particular skill, success calls for advantageous conditions to be met. Accomplishments do not come out of thin air. Gladwell states how, “Success is not a random act. It arises out of a predictable and powerful set of circumstances and opportunities…” (Gladwell, Outliers 155). Powerful individuals such as Bill Gates grew up in ideal environments that allowed him to reach the ten thousand hour threshold well before any of his peers. Without a doubt, surroundings affect people’s lives in the long run depending on how they choose to make the most of what is readily available and accessible.
Gates had access to one of the few time-sharing terminals at his high school. He was able to write code at a company that a classmate’s parent worked at. Also, Gated lived within walking distance of the University of Washington where there was free computer time in the early morning. Malcolm Gladwell stresses how not very little people in the world had or will have opportunities like Bill Gates. The right set of circumstances allowed Gates to propel his educational experience and ultimately jumpstart his entrepreneurial career.
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
One of Gladwell’s most recent works, Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know, stresses the importance of how people don’t communicate as effectively with others they are unfamiliar with. Miscommunication happens all the time. However, when poor communication reaches an extreme, it leads to tragic, undesirable, and often frustrating situations. One of the most important and more recent instances Gladwell focuses on is the devastating death of Sandra Bland near Prairie View A&M University in 2015. As a result, Gladwell seeks to explain what went south in a routine traffic stop that led to Bland’s arrest. He wants the reader to understand how her life could have been dramatically different if the officer knew how to handle the interaction with Bland.
Obviously, America has dealt with social divide throughout its whole existence. With the emergence and popularization of social media, the polarization has increased or seemingly risen over the past decade. Gladwell explains, “Prejudice and incompetence go a long way toward explaining social dysfunction in the United States” (Gladwell, Talking to Strangers 6). Both sides on the opposites spectrums of social views have their own biases. Each will attempt to justify their viewpoints with slim to no chances of admitting any wrongdoings. In particular cases, prejudice comes out to the front and rationality typically takes a back seat. People often don’t even want to acknowledge an outsider’s perspective. Evidently, nothing can bring strangers closer together than conversation.
As noted by Malcolm Gladwell, interactions with strangers usually don’t go as expected and often go terribly wrong. Two people who have never met have no idea what makes the other irritated or how to read their emotions. Deception is something humans have not been able to perfect, no matter how hard they try.
Furthermore, a psychologist by the name of Tim Levine has conducted the same straightforward experiment countless times throughout his career. He starts by inviting students to complete a trivia test for a cash prize. There is an instructor in the room who leaves midway through the test. They leave the participants to themselves to finish the test with nobody watching. One always tries to persuade the other to look into the envelope in order to find the answers. After the test is over, Levine interviews the participants in an attempt to see who tells the truth and who lies.
Even a seasoned professional like Levine cannot detect deception in humans. His research proves how bad people truly are at sensing a lie right in front of them. Gladwell explains how, “Evolution, over many millions of years, should have favored people with the ability to pick up the subtle signs of deception. But it hasn’t” (Gladwell, Talking to Strangers 72). Ana Montes executed one of the most infamous deceptions in the history of the United States.
As a DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) agent, colleagues described Montes as intelligent and charming. However, she was a Cuban spy since she first joined the DIA. Nobody suspected Montes for years. After a while, her lies were exposed, but not by a colleague accusing her of deception. She worked as a double agent for many years without any major suspicion. Even some of the sharpest agents in the DIA, CIA, and FBI cannot detect lies like those from Montes.
A state trooper by the name of Brian Encinia pulled Sandra Bland over on July 10, 2015 in Waller County, Texas. She recently started a new job at Prairie View A&M University. Encinia stopped Bland for a failure to signal a lane change. The interaction quickly turned sour as the Texas State Trooper started questioning the young Black woman from Chicago. He noticed she was visibly irritated; he asked her to put out her cigarette after talking briefly. Then, Bland refused to do so which set Encinia off almost instantly. After asking her to step out of her car, Encinia forcibly removed Bland without any particular reason. He then charged her with felony assault for not complying with an officer’s orders.
In Talking to Strangers, Gladwell notes how many times Encinia made a mistake in his encounter with Sandra Bland. Next, he stresses the noticeable divide between the two parties that ultimately led to the arrest of Bland and her tragic death three days later. Arguably one of the most memorable quotes of the entire book, Malcolm Gladwell explains, “Because we do not know how to talk to strangers, what do we do when things go awry with strangers? We blame the stranger” (Gladwell, Talking to Strangers 346). Sandra Bland might still be alive today if Encinia dealt with strangers without blaming them first. However, there is another tragic story of a young Black woman whose life ended shortly after her arrest because of a police officer with a bruised ego.
RIP Sandra Bland 1987-2015
Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Little, Brown and Company, 2002.
—. Outliers: The Story of Success. Little, Brown and Company, 2008.
—. Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the PeopleWe Don’t Know. Little, Brown and Company, 2019.
Life can be full of ups and downs. Everyone knows life throws curves in every path that are far from ideal. It is essential to find various outlets to explore creativity, find peace, and stay active. There is no single activity that can stimulate the mind and provide for the body at the same time to the fullest extent. Some may prove to be better for creative growth than others, but it is vital to diversify oneself and never stop being inquisitive.
To be sane and healthy in all aspects of life requires a multi-faceted approach to handle all of the adversity that comes along. Everyone has their own stress relievers and outlets; people who consume too much without gaining some type of experience or knowledge rarely find themselves completely satisfied.
Bookworms
Reading is something that has been pushed to the side over the past few decades with the popularization of video games, tv shows/movies, and social media. Even just a few minutes of uninterrupted reading everyday can provide far more benefits than mindless hours on the internet. The knowledge in the world is endless; why should learning stop when someone graduates from high school or college?
There are various genres that all provide their own unique advantages. For example, psychology and sociology focused books give more insight on how the world works and how people around us interact with each other. An individual can interpret a book completely differently than the next person who reads the same exact words. There are no quizzes or grades when reading for knowledge and wisdom, but instead it is up to the reader to apply what they learned on the pages in front of them. Creative growth stems from reading various topics to gain valuable wisdom.
Although the internet is more popular than ever, reading physical books is an excellent way to unplug and take a break from the never-ending news and strong opinions of others seen online. Reading can give much needed mental breaks when used wisely; a good book can indirectly give valuable guidance on how to deal with the world around us. Non-fiction literary works often provide priceless insight and knowledge, but fiction can also prove to be useful and extraordinary in its own ways.
Fiction lets the imagination run free and open up room for creative growth. The mind gets lost in a fictional world where people do not have to deal with the constant pressure of living up to certain expectations in real life. Winding down by reading any type of fiction showcases the power of ingenuity when used correctly. Fictional novels allow real-world problems to take a back seat to get a closer view of an imaginative world where realistic issues do not concern the characters. Readers can learn just as much from novels as non-fiction informational books if they keep an open mind and allow imaginative events and characters to translate to the physical world around them.
Lovers of Footwear
Some people start dressing from the top down while others start with the feet first. Sneaker enthusiasts everywhere take pride in a new pair of fresh kicks and rocking them knowing it completes their outfit. Sneakers bring countless individuals together for numerous reasons.
The sneaker world holds endless possibilities for to make connections and to enjoying the ability to express oneself freely in a healthy way. Like sports, sneakers are easy to bond over. Someone walking down the street wearing a rare pair of shoes might be stopped by an enthusiast who appreciates certain pairs of shoes. There are always hot topics of discussion within the sneaker community. New releases, rumors about potential collaborations, and scandals are constantly talked about among people who are interested in sneakers.
People who invest countless hours, endless energy, and often too much money into sneakers are usually open to lend a helping hand to newbies and other enthusiasts who are respectful and relatable. The overall sneaker community (not sneaker resellers- two completely different groups) as a whole is generally welcoming and supportive. The community is not underground and “exclusive” like it used to be.
Sneakers bring people together rather than tear them apart.
Sure, there are plenty of limited releases that leave people empty handed. However, the individuals who put in their fair share of due diligence have a higher chance of success when going after more sought-after sneakers. Especially now, it is easier than ever to get into sneakers. People can walk into shoe stores and purchase quality pairs that would not have been sitting a few years ago. The secondary market is currently also in favor of most buyers who do not want to break the bank. Anyone who does their research can learn about the history of brands and specific sneaker models whenever they want. The sneaker world is more open than ever for people who are looking to get more serious about their footwear.
Fanatics and Fiends
Sports are more than a game. They bring millions of people together all over the world. Fans support one another and uplift those that are struggling in their personal lives. Sports provide a healthy escape from reality as well.
Whether through playing or watching, anyone who is part of a team knows how it feels to be part of a collective group with similar goals. Organized sports provide healthy and valuable outlets for countless children, teenagers, adults, and elderly people. Nothing can replicate the feeling when a team and its supporters come together as one.
Games are more than who scores more (or less) than an opponent. They represent much more than the actual scoreboard; sports teach individuals about important aspects all throughout life. Hard work, determination, perseverance, and team work are the obvious that often come to mind. However, other motifs show more about life than what is seen on the surface.
In sports and life alike, people quickly learn that things will not always go their way. Someone can do everything in their willpower to succeed, but it still might not be enough to reach the desired outcome. Sports and life are both difficult in their own respects and do not give hand outs no matter the circumstances.
Fans everywhere bond with other supporters of the same team no matter their gender, race, skin color, ethnicity, or sexuality. Sports bring millions of people who otherwise would have stayed divided or out of contact. In good and bad times, fans of sports teams support their teams and each other. The allegiance to a team is not something to be taken lightly. True fans devote endless time and energy in supporting their respected team on the way to victory.
Creative Growth Mindset
To stay stagnant in life is to live an unfulfilled life. Meaningful outlets like reading, sneakers, and sports provide substance and allow people to express themselves in healthy ways. No matter what someone chooses to do in life, there will always be potential to be honest about expressing oneself. Whether someone reads or paints in their free time, collects sneakers or grows plants does not make a huge difference as long as there are healthy outlets to deal with life’s ups and downs. Nobody can take life as it is without dedicating undivided time towards activities that enrich their life in some way.
Growing opens up countless doors for future possibilities. People with a fixed mindset typically don’t seek out rewarding or fulfilling opportunities to enhance creativity, knowledge, and overall health. Those who look for a chance to improve often do over time. Nobody can put in the time, energy, or effort for anyone else. Someone with a creative growth mindset often finds themselves as a constant learner and new experience seeker all throughout life.
One thing that never changes about life is the fact that it will always be changing. It’s only right to change with one’s surroundings rather than fight what is natural.
An individual will always have their own preferences. However, it is essential to stay open to new experiences and trying new things to keep living a fulfilling life. Books, sneakers, and sports are just a few outlets that can provide a sense of fulfillment, belonging, and purpose. All of these are interchangeable with any healthy outlet that allows a person to grow and express themselves.
Creative growth comes from within; an open mind allows for endless possibilities and opportunities.
Shannon Lee has been an instrumental piece in preserving and continuing her father’s ideals and impact still felt around the world. She wrote Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee to show how her late father thought on a regular basis and how he approached life. This book talks directly to the reader rather than simply trying to explain certain events and concepts. Shannon Lee used her father’s teachings to express how he saw the world around him. She stresses how the reader should focus on their world while taking away valuable lessons from Bruce Lee’s remarkable life.
Since being published in 2020, Be Water, My Friend has been influential towards various individuals who are interested in martial arts and philosophy. Many of Bruce Lee’s philosophies have been especially relevant now in a world full of change. He was without a doubt ahead of his time and would have been an extremely influential figure in today’s society. Lee’s teachings provided clarity for numerous individuals who never knew how powerful the mind could truly be.
Bruce Lee is a legend that will never be forgotten. He was a pioneer who bridged the gap between Chinese martial arts and cinema with its American counterparts. Lee became a global icon of being fierce, yet calm and poised. Anyone who has seen Enter the Dragon (1973) knows how powerful Bruce Lee’s presence truly was. He knew he was a badass who could finish his opponents in an agile way. He relied on technique and finesse rather than brute force. Thankfully, Bruce Lee’s legacy will live on for numerous generations.
Formless Like Water
Bruce Lee focused on the importance of water and how it can be a metaphor for essential principles in everyday life. He stressed the significance of nature around us and how “Like flowing water, life is perpetual movement” (Lee 24). Life is never the same as it was yesterday; everyday brings new challenges and obstacles that we have no idea about. Although humans cannot see into the future, one thing we know for certain is how life will never be stagnant. Change requires flexibility and pliability like water. We have to adapt to our surroundings in order to flow with life’s currents.
“Like flowing water, life is perpetual movement.” -Bruce Lee
Perception is Reality
Bruce Lee emphasized the significance of learning from the world around you. Experience is without a doubt one of the best teachers anyone can have in life. Setbacks in life are prevalent; how we react to them is often more important than the act of failing itself. Lee explained how defeat does not make someone a failure.
“We are always in a process of becoming and nothing is fixed. Have no rigid system in you, and you’ll be flexible to change with the ever changing. Open yourself and flow, my friend. Flow in the total openness of the living moment. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like an echo.”
(Lee 156-7)
The importance of perception and the state of mind are both essential recurring themes in Be Water, My Friend. Lee brought up the fact that perception truly is reality: “You are the greater and the interpreter your life in every moment. Things have meaning to you because you give them that meaning—no one else” (Lee 140). Nobody can live a fulfilling life for you. A healthy state of mind goes hand in hand with clear perception. Powerful abilities come from the mind before anything else. The way someone thinks brings more power than any outside force ever will.
Self Worth
Be Water, My Friend stresses the importance of being your authentic self. Bruce Lee’s philosophies can be applied to millions of people’s lives. He wanted to help others by promoting self-confidence. Lee’s values are timeless and can teach many people more about life than studying a philosophy textbook.
Lee’s cognitive ability was often overshadowed by his martial arts talent, but he became a martial arts legend due to his intellectual prowess. Shannon Lee demonstrated the fact that her father knew how being true to yourself opens endless opportunities, “Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it. Start from the very root of your being which is ‘how can I be me?'” (Lee 200).
When failure is looking at us directly, it is often hard to see the lesson at the moment. However, if we keep our head up and keep moving on, we have the ability to learn from defeat in countless ways. Nobody is a failure until they deem themselves one. Any lasting and meaningful success will not come without some form of failure beforehand.
“Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality. To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary, and its punishment is but an urge for me to exert greater effort to achieve my goal. Defeat simply tells me that something is wrong in my doing; it is a path leading to success and truth.”
Lee 136
We often limit ourselves before even making an attempt at confronting something that might scare us. A healthy state of mind can lead to a world of endless possibilities. The opposite is essential to understand as well. If we have limiting thoughts, our potential to achieve great things will be restricted too.
Lee’s Transformation: Be Water
One of the most important aspects of the book is how Bruce Lee transformed himself after deeming himself too rigid and traditional. Lee established his own martial arts school called the Jun Fan Guy Fu Institutes in Seattle, Washington and Oakland, California. In 1964, the San Francisco Chinatown community was extremely upset with Lee’s rebellious ways after he opened up he is second school in Oakland. They felt he was disrespecting their ways and challenged him to a match to determine the outcome of Lee’s future in teaching martial arts. If he won, he would be able to continue teaching his ways as usual, but if he lost, he would have to quit his teaching. Obviously, Bruce Lee would not back down from this challenge.
The match took place in November 1964 at Bruce Lee’s school in Oakland. The opposition was a fighter who was randomly selected and less skilled than Lee. Since he had the fight on his home turf, he elected for no official rules during the match. Traditional ways were nowhere to be found in the quarrel. Lee chased his opponent around until he finally pinned the man down on his back, yelling repeatedly in Cantonese, “Do you give up?!” until the opponent gave in and ended the match. Lee was nowhere near satisfied, even though he won the fight without a doubt. He threw any sort of technique out the window in order to win and quickly understood how important it was to become more flexible.
This particular fight in Lee’s career proved to be a significant moment of truth. He realized his traditional and rigid techniques would not get him very far in life. Bruce Lee knew his limited martial arts methodology must be put to rest. He had a friend create him a mini tombstone which read: “In memory of a once fluid man crammed and distorted by the classical mess” (Lee 60). Shannon Lee explained how this symbolized a turning point in her father’s life.
He had to alter his orthodox ways to get back to his free-flowing approach. She added, “It was a reminder to move forward like flowing water” (Lee 60). Without the fight and the symbolic mini-tombstone, Bruce Lee most likely would not have been as widely known as he is today. His ability to adapt and force himself to become more fluid proved to be invaluable for his entire life.
Lee brought a new approach to his environment and adapted it according to his ideals and beliefs. He did not confine himself to traditional martial arts standards. His expression of martial arts reflected how he viewed the world around him. Jeet Kune Do, which translates to “The Way of the Intercepting Fist,” is one of Bruce Lee’s most impactful works of art. Lee did not like to call it a style of martial arts. He viewed it as an expression and philosophy that conveys his principles in a nonverbal manner. He often questioned traditional practices of kung fu. Lee believed a person had to be prepared for an opponent’s next move rather than already having a premeditated and rigid approach. Being adaptable to an opponent leaves room for more creativity and fluidity. Jeet Kune Do stresses the importance of balancing give and take in martial arts.
Never Forgotten
The legend of Bruce Lee lives on today and will for the foreseeable future. Even today, martial arts and social justice exude Lee’s influence. Lee always sought to bring awareness of supporting minority groups, especially Asian Americans and African Americans. Bruce Lee dealt with racism during his cinematic career in Hollywood. Due to this, he did not want Asian Americans to be in roles with a negative connotation. He used his experience to become an ally to other minorities who were subject to oppression. Everyone can learn from Lee by supporting those who do not have a heard voice and judging an individual by their character rather than how they look.
Bruce “Little Dragon” Lee became a martial arts icon as he continued to teach and promote his own practice. He did not back down from any opponent and definitely did not limit his abilities and teachings to a strict set of rules. Lee stressed the importance of a flexible approach in martial arts and life throughout his respected philosophies.
Unfortunately, he was not able to see the official release of one of his greatest accomplishments. On July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee passed away at the young age of 32 in Hong Kong due to swelling of the brain. The premier of Enter the Dragon was on August 19, almost exactly a month after Lee’s tragic death. May we never fail to forget the impact Bruce Lee continues to have on the martial arts community, the Chinese and Chinese-American communities, and countless supporters around the world who admire his work and philosophy.
RIP “Little Dragon”
Lee, Shannon. Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee. Flatiron Books, 2020.
