Tattoos
encourage student self-expression
Jenna
McDaniel
Shows such as “Miami Ink” and “Inked” are picking up
popularity and shedding a new light on the world of tattoo artistry. Previously
having a negative connotation, tattoos are now becoming mainstream body accessories.
The appearance of good luck clovers, zodiac signs and band logos are causing
many to begin to talk about the reasons behind the craze of permanent body
art.
Are these designs done tastefully and do they really have meaning? Or are they
simply a thoughtless decision to mar one’s body? Many parents view tattoos
as rebellious acts or simply tests of power. Yet their warning speeches fall
on deaf ears as young adults eagerly head off to tattoo parlors. It is common
to hear students around campus casually discussing with friends their interest
in having a tattoo as if it were what they were going to eat for lunch.
So then, what is the big deal? Why is there such a yearning to permanently
alter one’s body? Some argue these “kids” just want to be
defiant, rebellious or bad ass. To others, having a tattoo can have a significant
meaning representing a change they have made in their lives, or how they have
grown. Some look down upon people with tattoos and call them trashy. Others
find tattoos sexy, alluding to a seductive, raw side of a person.
You may not understand someone’s choice for his tattoo, but making judgments
about that person’s character because of that decision is uncalled for.
Tattoos are a personal preference, just like how you get up in the morning
and pick out what underwear to put on, tattoos are private and have personal
meaning.
I will proudly state I have a tattoo. There was definitely silence on the other
end of the phone when I first told my parents, but like they said, it is my
body and I have to live with it for the rest of my life.
My tattoo was a carefully made personal choice. I designed it myself, and though
it may be small, the needle pounding into my skin definitely hurt. Why do we
endure such pain? Expression.
Being an artist I am a strong supporter of self-expression. The person getting
the tattoo and the tattoo artist creating it are both expressing themselves.
Tattoos are an art form, and like any art form, some of it is beautiful and
some of it is crap.
It may sound cliche, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think tattoos
can be done tastefully.
Tattoos are put in strategic places. Some people want to display them while
others want to keep them private. If you ask anyone with a tattoo to tell you
why he or she choose it, they might smile and laugh, give a deep sigh or their
face might become solemn and serious.
Why? Because every tattoo has a story. This is what makes them so interesting
and individual.
You can blame the tattoo frenzy on the rock stars, actors, pop singers, gangs
or prison inmates, but whoever they were inspired by does not change the fact
that a substantial portion of our younger population has or wants a tattoo.
Whether it peaks out of the top of your jeans or the sleeve of your shirt,
these permanent art pieces will eventually make middle-aged adults with tattoos
normal. To those who dislike them, tough luck because it looks like tattoos
are here to stay.
Jenna McDaniel is a sophomore art major.
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