Acceptable Skin Colors are Not Just Inherited.
Negative stereotypes are beginning to fade as more people begin to ascertain tolerance for the fascination of tattoos. Recently, the media has been influencing dominance in the love for tattoos by portraying more protagonist characters with tattooed skin, as opposed to the well-known antagonists involving gangs, pirates, hard-core bikers, and inmates. There are sections of the military redefining their guidelines to maintain a higher number of possible recruits. Additionally, there are other professions that are becoming more tolerant towards employees with multi-coloured flesh. Tattoos are gaining more confidence to peek out from the hems of shirt sleeves, shorts, and necklines and exposing themselves on the covers of magazines. Celebrities, musicians, sports icons, and authors are dressing themselves in this permanent fashion; feeding their audiences and fans with sights of exemplary ink devices. There are alternative means of expressing ones individuality, and certain facets of society are changing their views to accept people with tattoos as a positive reinforcement to modern culture.
There are prejudices of all kinds, especially when it comes to outward appearances. Many people find it difficult to accept new and…well out of the ordinary, or alternative, things. Authors have, generally, been known to be crazy-eccentrics or drug-induced, creative types. Some scholars argue, or in the least bit assume, that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a drug addict, since Mr. Holmes had such a prominent issue with cocaine and morphine; Edgar Allen Poe married his 14 year-old cousin and died drunk in a ditch; and Oscar Wilde, well-known for his extravagance, spent time in gaol for being homosexual. Tattoos are most certainly the lesser of these apparent “evils,” and a wide variety of authors now have tattoos and show them off, proudly. Some tattoo images portray the passions of a writer, others are written words from their works and inspirations or even a compilation of “four or five book covers and original text running in between them” as with Horror writer, Brian Keene’s back piece (abebooks.com). He proudly displays the covers of his published books forever on his skin. This kind of expression is seen as artistic motive for many audiences and fewer crowds are throwing verbal pitchforks at those who enjoy having permanent pictures fixed onto their skin.
Since one picture is worth a thousand words it cannot be difficult to comprehend a liking for tattoos as a representation of memories. Elaborating on that cliché, Kat Von D expresses in her book, High Voltage Tattoo, that her life’s “story is etched in the lines and shading” of the tattoos she dons over most of her body (15). Author, Shelley Jackson took this idea in a more literal sense. She decided to write a novella, but not on paper. Known as the ‘Skin Project,’ Jackson is having one word tattooed onto 2095 participants (abebooks.com). People are accepting tattoos in many regards, and are lining up to own souvenirs of their lives. Kat Von D decided that she wanted to make it in the Guinness World Book of Record; in a twenty-four hour period, she tattooed her shops logo onto 400 fanatics. People were lined up outside the doors of the High Voltage Tattoo shop for hours, just to be a part of a famous artist’s attempts at a world record.
Tattoos and piercings are known to be part of an alternative fashion. Things outside the “norm” have always gotten a bad rep from the general society, but now that tattoos are showing up all over the place it is hard to wean out the black sheep in the flock. Of course looks are always deceiving, many people from “federal judges to a retired corporate vice president [are] lining up for body are these days” (Roelf 52). Acceptance is persuaded by popularity and a lot of famous icons are flaunting their tattooed skin. They are on the red carpet, accompanying Versace gowns, showing up on the big screen and jamming on main stages. Today, ink stains the skin on sports professionals and is exposed on pin up spreads. Having these positive idols to look up to, instead of the stereotypical idea of tattoos as a sense of rebellion or criminal activity, is a heavy influence towards the acceptance of this particular art. Recently, one will find that it is a rare demonstration to define a person with tattoos as being in a gang or on their way to prison.
Protagonist characters displaying alternative fashions, including tattoos and piercings, are starting to dominate specific television shows. Derrick on Criminal Minds is a BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) Special Agent for the FBI, who has a lion on one bicep and a half-sleeve covering the other. Then there is Abby, from NCIS. She is a giddy, goth-girl, forensic specialist with a spider web tattoo on the left side of her neck. Of course the obvious shows on television involving tattoos are the well known Miami Ink and L.A. Ink. Reality shows portraying the life of tattoo artists and their clients. Diving into the stories behind the tattoos, the audience is able to see the emotional side of the art. Clients have been reduced to tears after glancing in the mirror at the final product. A few common themes of tattoos are that of memorial, remembrance and triumph. One of Kat’s good friends, Dan Smith had her do a family portrait of his friend (Bryce), Bryce’s fiancée, and their baby daughter. All of whom were killed in a horrible car accident, and this piece is what Dan wanted so as to “represent them just as he remembered” (84). Tragedies are remembered and lives honored after their passing. Tattoos present a certain outlet for some who have lost loved ones in untimely ways. Who can look down on that?
The military certain cannot. Recruiters have noticed the growing number of prospective military participants adorned with tattoos. The pieces that typically matter are in visible areas of their bodies. Certain sects of the military are more relaxed about those who have tattoos on their forearms, hands, and the backs of their necks. The only thing they ask is that the visible tattoos be in good taste, nothing provocative or demeaning. The military is more comprehensive of their recruits’ needing to express themselves; it boosts morale and gives the soldiers something else to think of, other than the chaos that surrounds them. In the September 2009 issue of Inked, there is a lengthy cover story about a young man in the U.S. Army who, after completing his duties in Iraq, was set up in his tent on base tattooing many of his fellow soldiers. The artist, Marcos Sierra, was also astounded to realize how many of the higher-ranked individuals were amongst the crowd wanting to be tattooed.
Of course if a tattooed individual is not interested in a career in the military, there are other options for careers and big companies are starting to see the pattern here. Taking into consideration the growing number of newer generations obtaining tattoos, executive companies are being more lenient about their initial rules of outward appearances. Many companies are:
…leaving it up to individual managers to set the rules for the employees who report to them…some take advantage of the open-mindedness and innovation that younger employees bring into the workplace (Roleff 53).
This is important to consider when applying for a job or even before getting a tattoo. Just because some bosses may be apathetic, or accepting, of a tatted individual, does not mean that every boss holds the same perspective. Though it is nice to see that more companies are giving leeway for those who enjoy expressing their individuality. People with tattoos are being given the chance to exert themselves in professional careers without having to worry too much about being judged for their tattooed appearances.
There are certainly strength in numbers and it would seem that many people are making it a point to accept tattoos because they are…well, they are showing up everywhere. Even if you know someone who looks as if they would never be the type, do not be surprised at what can be hidden under the wrapping. But the good ol’ media is also keeping everyone up to date on the latest trends and happenings and inspiring others with visions of beautiful designs on canvases of epidermis. If the militaries are making room for tattooed individuals, it can be believed that a positive means of acceptance is in order due to the structure of what societies have built upon. And thanks to the many icons involved in the media, sharing their stories and art; being positive influences to the generations to come. Whether one has visible ink or not, the fact that there are those leading the way to have businesses refurbishing their ideology, and are more apt to accept the uniqueness of individuals in a grandiose scheme. Everyone is different, though we may have similar likes, dislikes, hobbies and fashion senses it is about time that we all just learn to get along. You cannot judge a book by its cover, but you can cover yourself with book covers!
