BODIES ART O F
Abha Thakur
Anju’s Checking Placement for First Tattoo 2
I dedicate my book to all the people who were stereotyped, denied the job, unfriended, judged, or disowned from their families. The hope is to change the minds that are stuck in the past. Change the future generations for the better.
D E D I C A T I O N 3
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CON TEN TS
Preface Introduction Generation Y Changing Minds No Regrets Conclusion Works Cited
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Abha’s Finished Tattoo
Getting a tattoo as a high schooler introduced me to a whole other side of discrimination. One of the hardest things was when friends parents didn’t let them hang out with me because “I would be a bad influence.” This was insane to me because they were being flat out ridiculous in my opinion. Then the older I became the more I started dressing how I am like now, I have become better prepared to what close minded people have started to say. Once I was stopped in Dalls International Airport and this older man dressed in a cowboy hat and boots, which basically matches a stereotype for a texan man, looked at me and said “oh god”, if you know me, i’m fairly bold, but I didn’t say anything. If this had happened to me a year or two ago, I would have told him off and made a scene. Just because one has tattoos doesn’t make us bad people. When I hang out with people who are more like me, those people who stand out, the ones who don’t use the a Kardashian’s Instagram page to choose an outfit in the morning.
P R E F A C E 7
Alex’s X-Wing Tattoo
You’re in an interview and everything’s going great, but when you go home, you get a phone call saying that you did not get the job because of that tattoo you had, that tattoo you love and cherish. You just had your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your dream job, slip away from your hands. The stigma around tattoos has led us as a society, to a point where our future is impacting you to the point that you are not allowed to express yourself. I cannot go on talking about tattoos and saying that it won’t affect jobs. It will. It happens often, an article titled, ‘I lost my job because of my tattoos’ by BBC. One who stood out the most to me was a 35 Year old, Karla Valentine,who is a mid-day assistant at a school. She was taken on having tattoos and facial piercings. She was issued with a “standards of dress” guide, which said that visible tattoos and facial piercings were not setting a good example and should be covered up. The kids talked about her tattoos and seemed to have loved them. After a week she went to see the headmaster and resihnes with immediate effect, he called to have meetings with personnel over the issues she raised but she did not want to work in a place that was discriminated against tattoos and piercings. She stated, “I feel sad that children grow up being taught these shallowminded views.” When asking around about why people think tattoos are bad idea. I heard some somewhat idiotic answers as in, the process grosses them out, they don’t want to pay the price. Some are valid as in how they last a lifetime, but the people who do get them are aware and totally okay with having that design or art on them permanently. I met with 3 different people who are tattooed for very different reasons. Alex is new to it all, only 20 years old. The next, Anju is someone who has always wanted a tattoo but is scared because of their professional job. The third, Michelle is an individual who currently hides tattoos, even the one they have dedicated to their brother who has passed away, from a family member and for work. Tattoos are a form of self-expression and an art; thus, anyone who wants them should be free to get them.
I N T R O D U C T I O N 9
Alex’s 2112 Tattoo
Alexander is a republican who is actually pro-tattoos. He is a waiter at a restaurant, and a 20-year-old who dresses like he’s back in the 80’s. When asked if these two opinions cross paths he stated, “A lot of rockers are conservative and have tattoos like Kid Rock and Ted Nugent. Well I think the same thing. I like tats and I’m a conservative.”(Alexander) He has two tattoos. His first tattoo was when he was 19, less than a year later he got a 2nd tattoo. His first tattoo was a X-Wing fighter from Star Wars. His second was a the Starman from the cover of the iconic 2112 album by Rush. He choose the X-Wing tattoo because the movies have been a big part of his life. The 2112 tattoo was chosen because, music is a big part of his life, with Rush being his favorite band and 2112 his favorite album, aside a lot of the bands fans, this tattoo was the way to go. When speaking about the reasons for regrets, which is sadly the leading cause for so many individuals to turn away from the art, Alex stated, “Because they were drunk and decided to get a dolphin on their back for some reason but ummm.. I mean (chuckle) or they get something that they like at the time but soon grow out of it when they grow older.” He is young so of course making small stupid jokes is part of the big picture. Tattoos are always something that you have to be smart about its permanent but don’t try to be too smart or to hesitant that you never get one just because you get one doesn’t mean you cannot get another one if a better design pops your in your head. Of course with him being only 20 you’re bound to be curious about his parents opinions about his tattoos. His mom was not okay with it and when he turned 18, she stated the classic mom phrase “You can’t get a tattoo while you’re under my roof.” His dad on the other hand doesn’t seem to have too much of a strong opinion on it and maybe he won’t get any tattoos himself but he understands that Alex is into that kind of stuff and is okay with it. For people who think are scared to get tattoos, Alex has these words, “First it’s always nervewracking cuz the first time experience it’s always been pretty scary doing something new but there a lot of people out there that are scared of needles so they probably wouldn’t get a tattoo but if you want to get a tattoo of course you’re going to be scared because it’s the first time. But you are also gonna be excited and a bunch of other things and it’s going to overwhelm you and it’s like all this emotion at once.” Basically get whatever you desire and enjoy life because if you are stuck in a close minded lifestyle and allow other people to control what you do or want, how will you get out of the ongoing circle.
“There will always people out their judging you no matter what.”
G E N E R A T I O N Y 11
C H A N G I N G M I N D S
“So if I have a tattoo and it’s visible, people would definitely judge me.”
Anju is my mother but also is trapped in the conformist lifestyle. With a very professional job working as Private Client Banker for JPMorgan Chase. Having a job like this means that, obviously, you have to look very professional. Somehow society is formed in a way that a client won’t trust them with their money, if they have a piece of art on them. I don’t understand when ink started to determine if a person was criminal or not. Anju has always liked tattoos and has loved the look and the designs of them. When we go out she usually points out other people’s designs and how pretty they are. I have always been pro-tattoos and always told her she should get one. She has been hesitant because of her occupation. “Hiring Discrimination Against Tattoos and Piercings” by Amanda Haddaway is an article talking about how a women looking for job opportunities for her son, approached her booth at a job fair. The women shared how her son was turned down after interviews and asked if it’s because of the large tattoo on his face. The writer was honest and said yes. Hassaway explained that hiring managers discriminate and it’s within their rights to not hire someone with a facial tattoo or piercing that could be offensive or inappropriate to customers and the workplace. There are also dress code policies that require employees, while in office, to remove body piercings. However with all the laws that we have regarding discrimination, there are no laws that prohibit discrimination against people with visible tattoos, body piercings, unnatural hair colors or styles, and so on. She ended on a note stating, “If you have tattoos and piercings and you feel they are an important part of your personality, make sure you find a workplace that’s accepting of them.” Anju finally made a decision to get the tattoo about a month after interviewing her. She got a Om symbol on the back of her right shoulder. She chose this because, she is hindu and also liked the look of it, when I got one of those 2 week lasting tattoos of the same symbol. She loves the way it looks and the location.In “Changing Perceptions of tattoos in Japan,” Matt Trudeau examines tattoo culture in Japan, including artists who have been arrested, public fear, being misperceived as gangsters, and have been banned from hot springs. The increasing numbers of tattooed people, worldwide, are not influencing the change to take down signs that prohibit tattooed people from entering hot springs, or from getting funny looks for having visible ink. These ‘tattoos prohibited’ signs are placed all over the place. Foreigners still try to cover their tattoos to not offend anyone. Japan is overall one of the safest places to travel, but if you are strutting your ink, you will definitely get a couple stares and judgments about your character.The entire time I spoke to Anju she was talking mostly about location since she wants to be able to easily cover it up. She wants to have a choice whether she shows it on a daily basis because fact of the matter is that she is overall still thinks people will judge her. If she had no restrictions she would love to show it off. She hopes that the stereotype of having tattoos is unprofessional changes in the future. In the article “The Changing Perception of Tattoos”, by Zackary Lavoie. He states a great statement. “Not too long ago, tattoos were seen very differently. They were seen as a label. You’ve done something bad to earn those tattoos. You’ve been mixed up with the wrong crowd. Tattoos were synonymous for bad news. But as our younger generation leans toward more liberal tendencies, tattoos became more popular” He talks about how tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable among younger generations and how tattoos are art and placement is certainly impactful to how tattoos should be perceived.
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Michelle’s Back Tattoo
Michelle is 26 and is pretty heavily tattooed. Her tattoos are special to her and some have very deep meanings. She does through the same pain as a lot of inked individuals which includes hiding them the harsh judgments. Michelle sadly, lost her brother in 2003. She wanted to get a tattoo dedicated to him. Her parents were okay with her getting tattooed before she turned the age of 18, but in California the law is 18, weather there is a parent approval or not. She waited, and got a magnificent art piece that occupies half of her back. There are hummingbirds eating the flower nectar of orchids. The hummingbirds were chosen because, their mom kept seeing them after her brother past away and thought of it as her past away child coming to her. The orchids were their families favorite flower. She will never regret any of the tattoos that she has gotten. Her family was not okay with the tattoos at first but then got over it. Her grandma knows about one and freaked out and she currently hides them from her. She also gets remarks saying “You will be prettier without all those tattoos.” In a documentary by Angie Bird, “You Won’t Regret that Tattoo”, shows you a range of older individuals who waited until almost their 70s all the way to people who got tattoos as young as their 20s. Almost none of them regretted any of the tattoos they got, one individual had a naked women on their back removed. The rest of the people loved the tattoos they got.
“I would say just find an artist you’re comfortable with. My guy, he has his own shop, it’s just him their. Do your research, make sure you look into their art, don’t just pick someone randomly.”
N O R E G R E T S 19
Alex Getting 2112 Tattoo
Tattoos, whether ts has deep meaning or its from a drunken nights out have a story. Don’t be afraid to cover yourself in beautiful pieces of art just because society is living in the past. Be smart, do your research and remember not every tattoo has to have some great deep meaning behind it. You should not worry about the assholes who won’t take you seriously. Tattoos are an expression to who you are. If you are passionate enough about what you love and who you are. Tattoos are a permanent way to remember happy times. Tattoos are an art, each one as unique as the next, get an artist who will make original art. It doesn’t change you as a person; it won’t make you more slutty, or less intelligent. It means you aren’t afraid to express yourself and not form to the conformist ways of society that are fucking pushed down your throat, since the day you were born. Remember it’s your body, it’s your choice.
C O N C L U S I O N 23
Abha’s 2nd Tattoo Session 1
“You Won’t Regret That Tattoo by Angie Bird | Short Film.” Short of the Week, www.shortoftheweek.com/2015/12/11/you-wont-regretthat-tattoo/. Accessed 29 April 2017. “The Changing Perception Of Tattoos.” Odyssey, 31 May 2016, www. theodysseyonline.com/the-changing-perception-of-tattoos. Accessed 29 April 2017. “‘I Lost a Job Because of My Tattoos’.” BBC News, BBC, 22 Sept 2014, www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29211526. Accessed 29 April 2017. “Hiring Discrimination Against Tattoos And Piercings.” Work It Daily, www.workitdaily.com/hiring-discrimination-tattoos-piercings/. Accessed 29 April 2017. “Changing Perceptions of Tattoos in Japan.” Tattoo Experiences, 8 Dec. 2016, www.tattooexperiences.com/changing-perceptions-japanese-tattoo-culture/. Accessed 29 April 2017. Hammerschmidt, Alexander. Personal interview. 4 March 2017 Paul, Anju. Personal Interview. 15 March 2017
W O R K S C I T E D
Fortune, Michelle. 22 March 2017
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BIOG RAP HY
Abha is a student that attends Freestyle Academy, and also attends Mountain View High School. Who expresses themselves a lot in their style. She loves music and traveling but most of all food. She is also an animal rights activist, which means vegan, which does get in the way of her love for food. 27
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