I recall vividly being a tall skinny kid that
found himself totally defenseless when it came time to fight.
Even though I could percieve the concept of
moving out of the path of a speeding fist, I was unable to remove my body from it's
impending impact. As a result my everything suffered: Self-esteme; Status with my peers;
The ability to attract females; Reputation.
The guys in my neighboorhood knew that I was an easy mark, so throughout my young
years I found myself robbed and beaten-up on a regular basis.
Although I had several friends who studied the martial arts, my best frend, Walter
"Chuck" Jones stands out.
Chuck empthized with my plight and did all that he could to convince me to take charge of
my pittiful life. He strongly suggested that I join him in the study of Kodokan Judo. My
reply would always be an emphatic "NO!", because I didn't want to incur injury.
However, Chuck being the true friend that he was would'nt give up on this 90lb weakling.
He was on a mission and would not be deterred: Get Porter Squared Away!
When an opportunity presented itself, he would become the Sensei and I the unwilling
Student. He would began the lesson with a verbal admonishment for being such a whimp, and
then apply his philosophy of "This is going to hurt me more that it's going to hurt
you" ...
In my role of Uke. being thrown with Ippon Seonage; Morote Seonage; Ogoshi; Uchimata;
Taiotoshi; Tomonage; Ashi Waza; was enlighting!
I was also Sensei's Slap Boxing partner, his Yawari Uke, and during his return visits to
the United States from Vietnam Nam B-Gunner duty, United States Marine Corps - he shared
his Field Hand To Hand Combat Tactics with me.
Inevitably, there came a turning point ...
I was attending John Marshall High school on the West side of Chicago, Illinois in 1965. I
was fifteen years old when my life changed forever.
There was an incident. ...
"Well, I can't believe it. Leon Thourpe ... Man, the last time that I saw that dude
was years ago. He was one of my best friends. I did'nt know that we're attending the same
school. This is Great!. Hey Leon, wait up!" ...
My goodness, I can't believe how that guy has changed. He's got a
mean streak.
It was inevetiable that our paths would clash. We would argue. Then one day, we met on
Madison Street and fought like two Bull Elk during the Rut!
How on earth I won, is beyond me. To my recollection I never was able to lay a hand on
Leon. The guy was to quick and slippery. But to listen to him tell the story I won and he
lost. This "Victory" would be my undoing.
To this present day, I can recall his famous last words: "Just you wait 'til
tommorrow!" I looked at him and in my naivette wondered what he meant.
Then as I am today, am of the oppionion, that I'm not a mean spirited person. However,
Leon had essentiality threatened me with his "last words". I went home and
reflected: "After all, this is Chicago, and I hadn't seen my then friend in many
years."
"Leon has changed, dramatically ... Hum, mean streak ... Tomorrow."
December 15, 1965 ...
As the Fates would have it, there he stood - in the open, arranging books
and papers in his Hall Locker with his back exposed, and hasn't a clue that I'm standing
at the cross roads. From my vantage point it's an easy and quick kill. ...
I took another moment and thought it through, in the end choosing diplomacy over
aggression. I approched my friend of the past with in the spirit of reconcilliation.
As I walked home that day after school, Leon broke through the circle of twenty-five
hard core Bangers stating: "He's alright. Let's him go!" They listened to their
Leader fading into the wood work allowing me to live one more day.
That night I went with Chuck to his Dojo and began my Judo education. I've never looked
back!
As presented in short form is a chronology of my martial arts
journey:
