Although body modification is becoming
more and more acceptable in today's society, there are still many
misconceptions about the culture and it's members as a whole. This
week I would like to share my thoughts and opinions on this matter
and hopefully open up some minds. Enjoy.
“The times they are a changin'” Bob
Dylan said it best in 1964 yet somehow this message has yet to fully
saturate our society when it comes to the tattoo and piercing
community. Body art collectors both young and old continually
encounter social injustices and stereotypes deriving solely from
their appearances and society’s inability to look past the surface.
In many cases we are labeled negatively as a whole instead of being
judged on an individual level for our actions and contributions.
“What's that on your neck? Are you
part of a gang?” This sentence pretty much sums up my job
interviews as a youth and it occurred frequently due to my decision
to get a highly visible tattoo. At the age of seventeen I made the
choice to put a tribute to my father on the side of my neck, I was
both ready and able to defend this action while also being aware of
the consequences. I was under the assumption that a strong work ethic
and training in multiple areas would be adequate in outshining my
physical alteration, little did I know.
Each field of work has set standards
when it comes to professionalism. Body modifications are usually at
the top of the list when being considered for employment, in some
cases they even outweigh a persons credentials in said field. This is
clearly discrimination but ultimately it is an honest reflection of
our society's lack of information and ignorance towards our culture.
In no way am I saying that a man or woman with facial modifications
wouldn't raise an eyebrow in a nursing home, however that same man or
woman may be equally if not better suited for the position than other
applicants. Though today's employers have begun to broaden their
horizons, we are still being denied positions solely based on
appearance which in turn will cause our work force to dwindle into
mediocrity due to the overlooking of highly skilled and motivated
individuals that happen to be tattooed or pierced.
Throughout the span of history there
have been quiet, college educated, seemingly “normal” individuals
that have shook the foundation of our nation and even the world
(Adolph Hitler, Ted Bundy, and John Gacy to name a few). A common
trait amongst these men is that they were NOT heavily tattooed NOR
did they have numerous visible piercings, yet people within the
tattoo community are under constant comparison to serial killers,
criminals, and degenerates. Why is this? Thomas Edison not only
invented an early stage of the tattoo machine or “Electric Pen”
in 1876, he also tattooed five dots similar to those found on dice
into his flesh. In your opinion, does the fact that Edison had a
tattoo overshadow his numerous contributions to the world? Does his
decision to apply ink into his skin make him equally comparable to a
serial killer?
Day after day I hear of more selfless
acts within the local body modification scene than I do anywhere
else. Despite blind judgment and ignorant assumptions, tattoo studios
are continually donating, fund raising, and showing appreciation to
their patrons without a second thought; in most cases the artists I
am acquainted with are willing to give almost anything to a good
cause. With this in mind I would like you to recall the times where
your cities gas stations have given you a break on the prices because
you were on a budget, better yet how often does the grocery store
throw a “Customer Appreciation Day” celebration and give you the
best deals on their items? I am not saying that these things never
happen nor am I trying to make every tattoo artist appear as a saint,
I am simply attempting to lift the wool a bit and shed some much
needed light on the subject.
Stereotypes have been around for as
long as there has been people, whether racial or gender oriented they
typically spout from the lips of the uninformed and immature. In
recent history, body modification has become so largely accepted
across numerous social groups that the backlash of stereotyping is
felt everywhere and with the same magnitude as the racial and gender
specific slander, the only difference is that it effects multicolored
men and women as a whole. In order to combat this sort of widespread
mistreatment, I believe that we all need to take the time and spread
the word about our beautiful and vastly growing society. Knowledge
paired with information is key to the acceptance of difference, more
positive and productive examples must be set within our communities
through our subculture in order to achieve that.
At times I still find myself at odds
with my “IDGAF” attitude when it comes to others passing judgment
on me based on my appearance, however I would sooner share my beliefs
and attempt to educate said individual rather than resorting
immediately to aggressive behavior. In doing so maybe that person
will see my side of things or at the very least accept that not all
tattooed people are unprofessional miscreants. Let's all take a step
in disproving a stereotype, positively contributing to the world, and
continuing the growth of the body modification industry.
LEARN-EDUCTATE-INSPIRE!
