I think you would be surprised how many friends and acquaintances I have, who constantly barrage me with why’s, what’s, if’s and but’s about my tattoos.
In this modern world where men stuff their bits into pants beyond too tight, where women fill their bodies with plastic and chemicals, and where we live online, you would think the art of marking ones body in means of expression would have become socially acceptable, and not relinquished to the thugs, gangsters, criminals, sailors, and outlaw motorcyclists of the bad old days. But you’d be thinking like a fool.
Though Tattoo and other forms of body art or body modification are becoming more and more prevalent with today’s society, both young and old, there is still this stereotype about that every Inkjet is a bad seed, every mark a regret, every hole should be filled. I think thats foolish. Self expression is one of life’s greatest beauties, where how ever small or large something is, however meaningful we find something that has otherwise sculpted our life in some magnificent or detrimental way, we can mark that down, we can write a note, but not on a piece of paper that will go through the wash, not magnetized to our refrigerators to fall down and blow away, but on our bodies, on our skin, on the one thing literally holding us together.
Acts of such courage should be applauded, not asked to be disguised under a collar, or sleeve. Though not every tattoo is such an important addition to one’s body. I mean, I have a disagreeing with white society pinching the traditional styles of Maoris and Islanders, this “tribal” revolution that went on among men’s arms, chest, and backs. That, well, to me, unless some heritage is being honoured, is a joke.
Though this is not where I want to go, I’d like to focus on the ever lacking acceptance of tattoo. Go to a job interview, “Does anyone have any facial piercings?” Yes, of course “We don’t allow them” Oh… okay, well thats pushing it. “Does anyone have any visible tattoos?” *looks at arm* Hmmm, seems I do Sir! “Well we don’t have tattoos or piercings showing in (Employers name here) so if they arent covered up by normal uniform, you can not work in customer service” Oh, well… alright, where would I be working then Sir? “We dont have any other jobs available, sorry”….Chances are, they really arent sorry. Chances are, they’re lying to you. Lucky you dont go and get your motorcycle gang and beat them silly, am I right? No, I’m not, because thats just stupid Matt.
Now Night Clubs, a lot of areas have brought in this lovely new rule that you arent allowed into the venue if you have visible tattoos. Ugh, long pants, long sleeved shirt go on, hands go in pockets… Thats not very nice. “Why?” You ask politely, and as the bouncer, ironically enough, dabbled with ink, looks at you half with that typical “I’m a bouncer, I’m angry cause I couldnt be a cop and now the steroids have shrunk my balls” look, and half with a “Oh I feel your pain Hombre” look says “Its to cut down on alcohol fueled crime and violence” Now thats stupid for two obvious reasons; if you have tattoos, you arent necessarily a criminal, or a violent person, and, secondly, do they not think criminals and violent people have clued on to wearing jackets yet?! Great way to discriminate against the criminals, they arent all stupid.
Now we’re on criminals, ever noticed on the news when there’s some story on and this big mean scary bloke has been caught by the cops, they always start with a close up of some visible ink on the ol’ forearm they catch through the cars window as he’s whisked off to the slammer? Heck, they even do it with straggly little fuckers too, ohhhhh he’s b-b-b-bad, hes got a tatto- oh… wait, now they zoom out he looks just like the checkout guy at Woolies! So, are all people with tattoos evil? No. Are all Woolies checkout guys and gals evil? Maybe, but the more accurate assumption here is that, despite whether one has ink or not, they can still stab you in the face and steal your purse.
Now I’m tattooed, and I’d like to think I’m a nice guy. My old housemate is well and truly tattooed, he’s a damn nice guy. Our old neighbour, who was not tattooed at all, was a fucking bitch.
That will do me for now. Remember, dont judge a book by its cover, even if the cover is a little raggedy and has a bit of scribble on it.
