Shortly after I read the blog assignment I signed onto Facebook as I often do when I need to be working on homework. To my surprise I had an invite to a group that fit into one of the poster projects. It was for Tattoo acceptance in the work place. While the project didn't look into tattoos I feel it still fit into the same category.
The group's about section is this:
"Our goal is to take away the stigma attached to people who have Tattoos in the workplace, Tattoos are art, some of us have chosen to express ourselves not with vibrant shoes, or a colorful tie, but with body art. What is the difference? honestly."
I believe that there is still a stigma attached to tattoos and piercings and even more so to the type of body modification we were looking at (Lady Gaga). But I think most people that I know (including myself) feel that our tattoos are art. I think that body modification can be an outlet for self-identity. If you ask any person what their tattoo means there will always be a story, from a way to remember loved ones who have passes, to being a symbol of time spent in the military. All of these things helped to create who we are today and tattoos are a way to display those experiences.
Facebook campaigns like the Tattoo acceptance, and just the number of people with albums specifically for their modifications seems to make having a tattoo pretty ordinary.
I think this hits on two interesting levels. One, I agree that tattoo's are a way to express one own story or tribute a loved one, and I think this is why they, among basic ear piercings, have become relatively accepted amongst common culture. When the tattoo or piercing makes its way to the face, in a way that obstructs someone's features, that seems to be the tipping point on what is acceptable in "the work place" or at least that what says in the guidebook of the corporation I work for. Most of the women at my work are over 40, and on casual fridays they all wear backless shirts to show off their eagle wings, angel wings, roses, etc. No one is bothered by this, but I imagine that once they are not easily able to conceal them on regular weekday, it gets frowned upon.
ReplyDeleteAnd Two, the really interesting thing is how this support group is delivered. It's so specific in its demographic of 'people that have been persecuted for their tattoos in the workplace'. I think this sort of thing is where facebook thrives, when a user is flipping through pages and boom, all of a sudden they realize there's a whole group of people dedicated to the reason they got fired last week. It's sort of depressing that this is where a lot of people may find their support, but I think as our society changes, things like this are replacing the meetings church basements and YMCA support groups. Soon (if not already) people can skype with psychiatrists and doctors, and join facebook groups like "people who loved Tommy Pickles from the Rugrats" and so on.