The way that tattoos are viewed has changed over time. They used be a sign that you were in a gang, or a slave, or an inmate.In today's society that view has become more of one of expression and art. Many people, including myself, have to permanently mark their body with a representation of something that means something to them or that allows them to express themselves in a way that is easy for them. Lets use me as an example first. On my right shoulder I have four cancer ribbons, blue, pink, lime green, and purple, to represent those in my family that have been diagnosed with cancer. My one brother has a sleeve dedicated to our Irish heritage and the other sleeve incorporates his passion of art and mystical ideas. For example, around his elbow is the writing from the ring out of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in elfish. This is meaningful to him because the movies were ones that he constantly watched and he even got me into them. My other brother has a tattoo between his shoulder blades for our grandfather that we lost to cancer. A lot of tribes get tattoos that represent their particular tribe. Dwayne Johnson has a tattoo to represent his Samoan heritage. This is a thing that is a Samoan tradition and seen as perfectly acceptable. So why can't society accept tattoos?

I strongly believe that tattoos should represent something in your life and not be something that has no true meaning behind it. Tattoos that are from one drunk night or just because I could are ones that people tend to regret and pay more money to get covered up. I will say that everyone has a story behind there tattoo and you never know it might actually be meaningful. If a tattoo does not seem as if there is meaning behind it then maybe there is some hidden meaning to that person. If you are close with the person then ask them what it means. When people ask me about mine I love to tell what it means and that I am adding onto it for the grandmother that I just recently lost. I want to carry them with me wherever I go. The tattoo is a constant reminder to live each day because you never know when life can throw you for a loop.