Here's something that a lot of people don't know about me: I have three tattoos so far. I usually get really surprised looks when I reveal this little fact about myself, and usually they are followed by "let me see!" or "wow that's so cool!" However, while many people have told me they love my tattoos or the meanings behind them, I, as well as many others, still see those disapproving looks or hear the ever so famous remark "You know that's going to be there forever right?" Thank you so much for that information! I mean really. I only spent a good chunk of money on these because I thought they would fade away in a few days. News flash, everyone with tattoos is very aware that they are a permanent feature.
It is very sad to me that in 2015 we are still having to deal with discrimination against those who have ink. Yes, there are some tattoos that can be inappropriate or vulgar, and I am not condoning those in anyway. That is not every single tattoo though. I find it shocking that people are not allowed to have certain jobs simply because they have a tattoo in a visible place. People get them for all different reasons, and unless you understand what the significance is to that person, you have no right to judge them. Actually, you have no right to judge them at all because it's not your body. It does not matter what excuse you bring to me about why my tattoos are wrong, I have them and as so many people love to point out they are permanent.
One of the most frustrating things to have to deal with is when someone says "well I don't like that. I would never get that on my body." Would you just walk up to someone and say "I don't like your outfit. I would never wear it"? Probably not. So what makes people think that it is okay to say that about someone's tattoos? I did not ask for your opinion. I worked hard, to use my own money, to go on my own and get the tattoo of my choice. All three of my tattoos hold something special for me. It is downright rude for someone to insult them. That is the beauty of my tattoos, they are not on your body. Therefore, they aren't your business.
If you are not a fan of tattoos, that is 100% okay. I am a strong believer in everyone having their own opinion, and I respect that. They are not for everyone, and that is totally acceptable. If tattoos are not okay to you, then guess what? You do not have to get one! Isn't that great? It has never offended me once when someone has told me that tattoos are not for them and it is their choice to not get ink. What is not okay is for someone to judge others or be rude or disrespectful to someone just because they have exercised their right to put what they want to on their body. I'm not saying you have to change your entire view on things or go out and grab a chair at your local tattoo parlor. Instead, I am asking that next time you see someone with a tattoo, think twice about the way you react, because you have no idea what that person has gone through or what makes their tattoo so significant to them.
