“Once upon a time there was a human being. This human being was dutiful, educated, courteous. This human being came under attack and had to fight or surrender. This human being took what was already known and came back to fight another day. “I will surrender if you can beat me.” This human being was Fang Qi Niang.
I wish I had known her. I often think of her.
She founded the White Crane System of Chinese Martial Arts. She was unbeatable. She taught great warriors, tacticians, generals. They defended the South of China from invasion over and over again. A Chinese woman from 300 years ago. She probably had bound feet. She was probably small and light. She had Filial Piety and pursued the men who killed her father. She married another martial artist who was her student. She could have walked this earth without leaving a mark. She was a genius.
She was unbeatable but she felt pain, she cried, she bled, she laughed. She could have surrendered.
She did not. She was a human being.
You are a human being too.”
Celebrate International Women’s Day – it’s a day for humanity.