Dig Deeper
Imagine a world where everyone had a tattoo on their four head saying who they were, kinda like a title on a book. Society as a whole tends to judge someone by the way they appear on the outside instead of how getting to know how the person is on the inside. This is why I admire the book Wonder by R.J Palacio.
In the novel Auggie Pullman undergo many surgeries on his face due to some complications that occur when he was born. Due to the complications, he doesn't look like everyone else. However he dose the same things an average child would do, he plays video games, excels in academics especially science. But no one ever sees Auggie Pullman as normal, they take a glance at his face and stop there. They dont look inside to find out who Auggie Pullman really is.
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Especially at school. In particular, this one individual Kai. I do understand she has a small amount of down syndrome. But that doesn't bother me unlike most people. Of course he's different, everyone is different in their own unique ways. Kai is funny, and sometimes a bit loud when she gets overly excited. Many people at school will tell her to shut up or go back to where she came from. These hurtful comments sadly make Kai feel as if she is unwanted. But nobody has ever listened to what she says. I offer my listening and friendship to her because, no one should ever feel as if they cant express themselves. Although Kai feels that I'm like the rest of the school and all I want to do is make fun of her. I want to direct her to seeing that she's perfect the way she is, but everyone has ruined that
Gainley demonstrates of people who “make assumption about people based on their appearance every day, an often we assume exactly what they want us to assume” (4). In a recent personal event, a classmate and personal friend of mine recently went through the complete hiring process with a local police department, but was disqualified for visible tattoos on the neck area which could not be covered up. It was later addressed that public opinion would view a police officer as not being professional. Gainley indicates that “the message may be my uniform says I am a police officer or I like the latest fashions or I am a gang member” (3). Consequently, this could not be further than the truth as we all have the right to establish our own choices in life, but on that same note, willing to live with our
...siderably. From a mark of criminality to an embraced art form, the body modification has represented various expressions of the bearer’s inner self. However, despite the efforts to normalize tattoos in the society, the social stigma of deviance perceived by the larger society still remains deeply etched in the art. It is apparent that the intended message a bearer wants to communicate through a tattoo may not be perceived correctly by others. These motivations behind tattoos are filtered through cultural and historical lenses that often result in unintended perceptions of tattooed bodies. In addition, the attempts of using tattoos to change social conditions often reinforce the very conditions they seek to counter. Though these stigmas and misinterpretations see no sign of fading, tattooing will remain as a powerful vehicle of self-expression and social commentary.
To survive in society, one must fit in. There are many reasons that people always try to be like everyone else. Some are unsure and others are afraid of being different. Many people change themselves just to fit in. Although tattoos used to be a sign of rebellion, they are now common. In Tattoos were once a sign of rebellion – no...
An interesting article in Skin Art Magazine by Kyle Burkett proposes another possible cultural root to the American and European stigma associated with tattooing that is today being challenged in a broad way. Burkett states that for centuries there has been a stigma against tattooing, buried deep within the skin of western idealists as well as and in the minds of Jews and Christians alike. He believes the stigma to be rooted in different aspects of ancient Mediterranean culture; more specifically, it finds its origin in ancient Greece and Rome. Some of the first forms of tattooing in these cultures was the branding of slaves. To be tattooed in ancient Greece meant that you were a slave and in Rome a tattooe meant that you were either a slave or a criminal (World Book 51). In light of this, Burkett's theory regarding this characterization of tattooed people as slaves and criminals, (the lowest rung on the societal ladder)prevails, and makes a great deal of sense when considering the historical roots of cultural biases today.
Long before I first considered getting a tattoo, I was surrounded by a plethora of body modifications, including tattoos, piercings, and even obscurities such as human branding and corset or suspension piercings. These were always observed with reactions ranging from horrified avoidance to rapt admiration, depending on the observer and the nature of the modification. My tone of my mother’s general reaction leaned toward a generally liberal acceptance, while my father has trended more towards distaste and simple avoidance. It may come as no surprise then, that I would eventually go on to become inked later on in my life. However, my choice to get tattoos was met with an uncharacteristic acceptance from both parents, resulting in my first questions into body modification, public perception, and what motivates us to so-drastically alter our physical selves.
Americans have been continuously encouraged to support and appreciate art. People are taught to appreciate paintings from a young age. They are informed that being unique is all right. Inventiveness and self-expression are continually being supported. Then, why are people so judgmental when they see an individual with tattoos? Numerous individuals decide to cover their bodies with tattoos. In fact, Jon Kelly, states in BBC News Magazine that, “Tattoos are more popular than ever, but workers can be dismissed from or denied jobs for the reason of their body modifications.” Although people have tattoos, it does not mean they have been in a gang or are violent, and it does not infer that they are not as competent or accomplishing as an individual without a tattoo. Tattoos are not character qualities. However, individuals with tattoos may not be considered for specific occupations, just for the reason that they make decisions with their own bodies; and they may be judged.
Since most people do not experience body modifications like piercing with stainless steel, wood, or bone rings in the face, ears, genitals, or other places. They also have not experienced branding or burning or scarification. Since the a majority of people have not experience extreme body modifications, they assume that there is something wrong with those that do take part in these body modifications and usually think the worst of them. Martin found that previous research that showed that several stereotypes about people with tattoos are unsuccessful in school, they come from broken homes, had an unhappy childhood. They also rarely attend church, they make poor decisions in life. They also think that the people that get body modifications while intoxicated and are easy to give in to peer
Even though tattoos are becoming part of culture and socially acceptable, the negative and prejudiced attitudes towards those with body art are still present. Not all tattoos are gang related, and one must note that they have historically been a symbol of someone’s culture or religion. Other tattoos may have just a personal meaning to its owner and was not intended to be offensive. People also do not understand that a tattoo may impede them from pursuing a professional career, regardless of their qualifications. Employers realize that the need to recruit workers from different backgrounds are important in such a competitive workforce, so they provide accommodation by having reasonable dress code policies.
Non-conformity is skin deep is an article by David Brooks of 27th August 2006, which argues that people fail to adopt the violations that are socially acceptable such as tattoos shallowly. Brooks notes that people’s nonconformity is superficial because they adopt to some transgressions only to look powerful but still remain unchanged inside. The writer made a positive observation through this work because many people have transformed to the socially acceptable violations in the society.
Tattoos are a controversial subject in the world we live in. The kind of people that get tattoos is now varied to almost all humans regardless of race, religion, or age. What many people fail to understand or realize is how much of an effect a tattoo can have on the rest of your life. The original tattoo stereotypes have faded from what they were many years ago and yet tattoos still have a reputation as for what kind of people get tattoos. There are many reasons as to why people would get a tattoo but there are many reason why you should think before you ink. Our society and the social media today has a huge impact on the tattoo industry. Movie stars and pop singers with many tattoos are posing as role models for our generation and
Symbolism and meaning is by far one of the most important aspects of the tattoo industry. “The abstract emotions and human awareness of emotions show what really is going on in ones life (Johnson)”. For that reason tattooing is a form of self-expression, and can stand for literal interpretations. For the most part these interpretations are the conveying of spiritual meaning, or marking milestones such as life or death” (Johnson). For those who think tattooing is just for looks or put a bad judgment on it, should also realize that ones personal interest reflects upon their lives. “Many individuals get their first tattoos during adolescence or young adulthood.”(Bravermark) Due to the mainstream culture, these traditions traditionally associate with stereotypes. Stereotypes defiantly have a huge impact on life. Which leads to the next point? Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or brought out on a whim, the tattoo has left a huge impact on generation after generation.
August Pullman, from the book,“Wonder”, written by R.J. Palacio, is 10 years old and lives with his mother, father, sister Via, and dog Daisy. August was born with an abnormal face which led him to be made fun of. Because his mother wanted to protect him, she homeschooled him through 4th grade. Now at the age of 10, going into 5th grade, August, otherwise known as Auggie, would be attending public school for the first time. Auggie, has many important traits including his sense of humor, bravery, and kindness.
A persons’ image is vital when meeting someone for the first time. Our peers, employers, family, superiors, even strangers that you walk past can automatically judge someone, and imagine how they present themselves to the world. Tattoos have been predominantly linked with a rebellious attitude and pictured on out of control stereotypes such as rock starts, bikers, sailors, and disobedient teenagers who want nothing more than to hack off their parents. With a new coming of age generation and a step into a more lenient and liberal society these types of patrons still participate in body art but so do doctors, lawyers, or just the run of the mill house mom. Tattoos signify religious beliefs, cultural influence, or each individual’s sole style. Body art is no longer socially offensive, employers are more apt to hiring tatted hopeful applicants, parents are warming up to the idea of their children inking their body and no longer a stranger on the street with a tattoo is necessarily prejudged as a criminal or safety hazard. Tattoos have become more evolved over the years because they have become more of a socially accepted element of the general public.
Tattoos have become commonplace in our society on both men and women, yet women are still judged more harshly than men when it comes to visible ink. In a nation where every person has the freedom to express themselves in any way imaginable it seems that women with tattoos are breaking the mold and thus paying the consequences. Women with visible tattoos are often discriminated against while men are applauded and accepted for their individuality. In such a modern world, why does it seem that people are clinging to old-fashioned ideas that women with tattoos are somehow less feminine, less capable, or less trustworthy?
Many of us crave tattoos because we desire to define ourselves as unique individuals. There are different reasons as to why tattoo artwork accomplishes this. For many, low self esteem is the driving emotion that lands a person in the tattoo parlor. Shelley Twyman confirms this idea, stating that “many people feel better about their self image after engaging in a type of alteration of the body.” In actuality, Shelley’s research measured the self esteem of tattooed individuals as on par with those who didn’t have one, after the alteration. Additionally, body art is often used to express the belief or views of the individual. For example, Margo DeMello argues in “Body Art, Deviance, and American College Students”, quoted by Myrna Armstrong et al, that some tattooed individuals see themselves “as if they are some kind of substitute for a personal philosophy” (152). Myrna Ar...