My Body is a Work of Art

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So this post is about tattoos.... I don't have anything pierced besides my ears but I suppose what I have to say will still somewhat apply to those who do.  So... I have three tattoos.  The first one I got on Mother's Day of 08 -- it's a butterfly with art around it on my ankle.  My mother's name means butterfly, hence the reason I got it on Mother's Day; but I also, of course, appreciate that it is a symbol of change, growth, rebirth, maturity -- it symbolizes a person's soul.  The second one I got on Halloween of 08 -- it's 2 egyptian symbols and together, they mean "the protection of truth, justice, morality and balance"; it's on my wrist. The third one I got on Jan. 13, 2009 - Delta Sigma Theta's 96th anniversary, or Founders Day.  That one is "MCMXIII" which is 1913 in Roman numerals and it's on my shoulder.

So now that that's out of the way, here's what I think about them.  When I was younger, I was taught, based on religious doctrine, that it was wrong to get tattoos.  I believed it.  But as I got older and began to do research for myself and just matured, in general, I realized that me getting a tattoo in honor of my mother or my sorority, both to whom I have a lifetime commitment, or one that signifies principles that are of the utmost importance to me isn't degrading myself.  I'm not disgracing God and I'm not "defacing my temple".  Before I had any tattoos, I decided that they were only worth getting if they had an everlasting and significant meaning to me.  I wanted to make sure I would never regret that I have any of them.  I never wanted to look down and notice a decision I made and think of it as having once had meaning or as being something silly I did when I was 21.  This is one thing I don't understand about people who get tattoos, on a whim, because they're popular.  These usually manifest themselves as stars, butterflies, one's own name, and even crosses but, of course, this is nowhere near an exhaustive list.  Now this isn't to say that everyone who has a tattoo of one of these things has it because they were desperate to ink their bodies.  I purposely mentioned butterflies because before I got a butterfly on my ankle, I thought about the fact that so many people would see it and think I'd gotten it because I think they're pretty or because I just wanted to get something -- they would never know that it holds a much deeper meaning for me.  So I, being one of them, know that everyone who gets what seems to be a random tattoo does not necessarily fit the judgment that precedes them.  For some, crosses mean a lot and aren't just symbols of something honorable and safe to ink into your body forever.  And I should also mention that there are some people who simply like the idea, the sensation of getting tattoos.  That's fine too - whatever makes you happy.  I'm specifically talking about the people who succumb to peer pressure or to a fad and get a random tattoo just to fit in or having something to show off.

Another huge issue I have is that so many people judge people who have tattoos.  This may seem contradictory but what I mean is that people are judged because they have them, not necessarily because of what they are or why they got them.  There is still this perception that only pirates and bikers have tattoos so it's irresponsible to get a permanent tattoo if you want a job or if your skin will ever show in a professional public setting.  I think this is ridiculous.  I don't have the best credentials for someone my age but my resume is pretty impressive -- that and my character is what should be considered in a professional environment.  A part of me is inclined to say that it shouldn't be taken to the extreme -- it's hard for me to visualize someone who looks like Lil' Wayne sitting behind a desk in an office wearing a Brooks Brothers suit and tie.  But this is exactly the problem.  The rest of me knows that it's wrong to stifle people's creative expression and to pressure them into conforming to a long-standing image of what a professional person looks like.  The beautiful thing about diversity is long-standing images, such as these, change.  The Obama example is terribly overused but you get the picture -- our representatives, in every industry, are drastically different from the ones we had 50 years ago, or even 25 years ago.  We're holding onto images that don't hold true anymore.  I've done my small part to protest this by letting my tattoos show at work, in class and even at a black-tie gala where I met Congresswoman Donna Edwards.  I guess, in a way, I'm daring them to think or act as if I'm not good enough simply because I have tattoos.  I'm testing them to see if they're testing me, to see if they're questioning my judgment.  I may be taking a chance that they'll keep me from some amazing opportunity but I've done well being as true to myself as possible for my entire life and I won't apologize or fear continuing to do so.  One day, I'll be Governor of the state of Maryland and when I am, I still won't be scared to show my tattoos.  In fact, I'll explain them then just as I am now.  And all of the things I have (and plan to get) tattooed on my body will also hold true.  My mother and my sorority will still be lifetime commitments, and truth, justice, morality and balance will still be priorities that I'm willing to go to great lengths to protect.  I hope I'll give people a reason to look at my tattoos and see them as part of me -- and not to look past them or to accept me despite them; I want people to see them for what they are to me and to see me as daring and honest enough to have them.

My personality is already a piece of work - my friends and family know this firsthand.  I concern myself sometimes, lol.  But part of my expression of who I am is marked on my body.  Pure expressions of the mind are best translated as pieces of art.  So stare, critique and admire but most of all, enjoy! I know I am.