I just finished up photographing the United We Stand mixed martial arts fights in Lummi. One thing I always enjoy about the fights is the body art on the fighters. I'm convinced that fighters take their purse straight to the tattoo artist for fresh ink. It seems with each new fight there's something new to enjoy.
As someone with no tattoos, I can still respect the art and message these fighters are trying to convey. One tattoo that caught my eye and got me thinking this week was United We Stand Middleweight Champ Ty Jameson's chest piece that states Death Before Dishonor.
At first, I figured it's just something bad ass to put on your chest to intimidate opponents. But the more I got to thinking about it, the more I realized that honor is paramount in native communities. Elders receive respect above all else. They're not forgotten, but rather celebrated. That's something where I think white culture falls short.
The last few years I've had a "friend" turn their back on me. When you share something in confidence and they hold it against you for years, that's always something that's hard to take. Obviously, that's enough to make the friendship end, but maybe death is a bit much. It's definitely enough to wish a flurry of punches from Jameson on them. If only it was that easy.
I guess the message from all this is to honor your friends, honor your family and honor your elders. If not, you never know who might be wishing death on you. And who needs that kind of bad karma?
If we could only live our lives by that motto. We might be better people. Not that we'd all be looking for fights, but honoring our friends,family, and elders that not only could enlighten our lives, but make us better people in the process. Thanks again Bri, I love to think a moment about what you write...then comment to let you know I read it. :)
ReplyDelete