Among The Dirty
Understanding each marking on Antwuan Dixon’s full sleeves, torso and facial tattoos could take weeks. Located on the inside of Antwuan’s right bicep muscle is a collection of tattoos surrounding a cross made of high caliber bullets. The vertical cross line is composed of a large bullet casing with a lead bullet on top like a round of ammunition made for an AK-47 assault rifle.
The horizontal line has a smaller round of ammunition like a .45 caliber bullet casing on either side of the vertical bullet. On the left side of the cross is the word, ‘Blacc’ and on the right side is ‘Mike’. Directly above the cross like firepower is ‘R.I.P.’ and the ‘P’ is Xed out. There are a few shaded clouds filling the space around the commonly seen acronym for loved ones who are deceased. The hundreds of needle point insertions of indelible ink, tracing life, and then replacing it with memories. There is disturbing pain like a firefight under the arm. For a moment there is relief when the blood is wiped away. The skin sowing hurts, pressing on the area of loss, aims at knowing the power of the cross. The living hope that we will rise again like the Son out of the tomb.
Antwuan’s explicit ink markings, ripped into face, torso and limbs, like knives on picnic tables contain stories of warning and advisory; and perhaps a death wish. This is where he sits down: among the dirty. Following a story requires going with Juice from one skate park for another. ‘The Dirty’ is how the locals refer to the Hawthorne skate park. Antwuan knows the park well since he grew up near by in Carson, California. He’s living proof of starting from nothing and becoming something. One of his best moments in life was when Baker put him on their professional skateboard team. Over the star laid sidewalk of Hollywood, Antwuan skated all around past the tourist, taxis and impersonators before he watched others being inspired by his video part at the Baker premiere.
Loads of full faded footage lives on video channels online when you Google: Antwuan Dixon. The bad and the good together show the struggle of life because it all words together. The fighting, smoking and drinking is apart of his story of redemption. Freedom blooming addiction is beautifully fragrant. Serving time in jail allowed him to think about what he did and didn’t do and what needs to change. He received a second chance for a building a bright future. He’s telling kids around him to do good, “because it kills them every time.” Antwuan is among the dirty with a saving wish for all the ones who look up to him.
You’ve never seen Jesus with extravagant entourage of eternal beings. When He returns it’s going to put all pro-athlete entrances of every sport combined to shame. The fireworks lit from every hand in China are dim compared to the light of the world.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Who will go among the dirty?