Day Forty Seven: Inked

I love my tattoos.

The other night a woman asked me if I was a thug because I was “all tatted up.” As a note of reference, I have two tattoos, one on each wrist. Considering that one of my coworkers had about thirty on his arms and another one of my coworkers has a huge one on his back and over his heart, I hardly consider this “tatted up.” I told the woman I was a reformed mafiosa and that I had only come to America a few months ago. She nodded like she understood. Her husband almost died laughing because he knew I wasn’t serious.

But it got me thinking: tattoos are one of those things we judge people on for no apparent reason. There are millions of idiots out there who get tattoos for all the wrong reasons. Google stupid tattoos and be prepared to be amazed. But most of the tattooed community is united in that they have a reason, a personal one, for every piece of ink they own. Many cultures use tattoos as rites of passage, as redemption, as a form of labeling. People who identify with these cultures may choose to get tattoos of their own to represent their connection to that culture.

People from my mother’s generation, or more specifically my mother, have a pretty severe issue with tattoos because they have been misinformed about their origin and meaning. When my mother found out I got a tattoo (and later a second one) she told me I would never get a job. But half the teachers I work with have ink; one of the best teachers at one high I worked at had a freaking koi pond across her back and down her whole arm! Hell, Mister Rogers only wore that awful sweater because he was inked to the nines.

I love my tattoos and I love being part of the greater tattoo community. Rappers, wannabe gangsters, soon to be ex-girlfriends and celebrities give this art a bad name. But don’t be too hasty to judge; my permanent alteration to my body is no different than your ear or nose piercings, plastic surgery and hair dye. Well, I suppose there is one major difference: I got my ink because it represents something vital and important to me. You got your ears pierced because you want to wear earrings.

Challenge to my Readers:

Ask someone about their tats today in a non-judgmental manner. They may not choose to share with you the personal reasons for their tattoos, but ask them anyway. Smile and be nice about it, show them yours if you have one. Try to look at tattoos as art instead of accessories.