I was really happy that Ami raised the issue of prejudice and discrimination on last night's show. I myself have faced a lot of discrimination regarding my tattoo's, especially since I am a woman with quite a lot of work done. I've been followed around stores by security, asked to leave places and told that I couldn't afford certain items all because of my tattoo's - funny since on the days that I cover my tattoos up I don't have any problems at all!
I am a highschool teacher and I do not show my tattoos at work (even though I know that my students would think I was the coolest!) It is very disappointing that in today's society something as simple as a little bit of ink on skin can cause such problems for people!
Especially considering how much money some people have in tattoos. Since I've had mine, I have not had any issues with anyone really, as its covered most of the time anyway. I really didn't get it to show it off to the world. Ami's experiences were sad to say the least, but unfortunately it something we must put up with.
I have learned that some of the cleanest cut looking people are the ones you gotta worry about the most. The ones who are the kindest and most open minded are the ones outside the box. They know more. There is a huge difference between looking at people and "seeing" them.
I completely agree with you! I too am female and have a couple of small tattoos myself. My other half just had 2 cover-ups done b/c his "home made" tattoos looked like "prison tattoos" he did them himself when he was 16 or so and trying to get a job as a teen and into his early 20s was very difficult because as soon as potential employers saw his tattoos they automatically assumed that he was either part of a gang, had a criminal record of some sort or was just a troublemaker. That kind of mentality is ridiculous! I know that may people hold prejudice against tattooed people. As Miami Ink has shown us (not that we the tattooed didn't know), people of all walks of life get inked for a variety of reasons. I agree that in the work place tattoos depicting sex, nudity, discimination (or anything else that could offend) should be covered. However, why cover-up body ART? I know that when I open up my store my employees won't have to cover tattoos (unless inappropriate) nor would they have to cover peircings. Thanks Ami for talking about discrimination!
I don't know... I have tattoos on both my hands and all the way up my arms--I like to show them off when I go out. I am never discriminated against because of my tattoos... maybe they're just so fabulously done lol I just moved to a new province, so I'm attending a new church. I went to the new church with a sleeveless top on Sunday because I have no intention of hiding any part of myself from God or my new brothers and sisters in Christ. No one was concerned about greeting me--in fact, they all seemed quite eager to meet me! I've already made a dozen new friends I will eventually get my tattoos extended up my neck as well, and dainty little ones on my earlobes since I don't wear earrings anymore. Anyhow, I'm babbling but my point is that I get nothing but positive reactions! I should kiss my artist's feet next time I see him
I am SO glad he brought this discussion up, and that's probably the real premise of the show, really. I am a Mom with two little ones, who now lives in NC, and I get all kinds of looks, considering this is the Bible belt and all. My tattoo is on my lower back, and it's not really that big really. I belong to a public pool, and I've overheard some of the moms there talk about me and my tattoo. I mean, really, what's the big deal? If done right, tattoos can be real beautiful works of art.
I can relate to what your saying. It seems as though being inked is one thing. However being a woman with ink is a heavier burden to carry. With regards to public reaction that is. I guess there are too many layers of narrow mindedness to unravel. Perhaps women one day will have total social freedom everywhere!
I think a persons location plays a big part of ones social reaction. Here in Ottawa, Ontario where I live being a woman with ink is quite the norm. Infact nobody pays you any attention. However not everywhere is like that. There is hope for us ink pots. I've noticed that movies are showig more ink and even some cartoons. Plus Miami-Ink is taking the ink to the front lines.
When I first got work done - I worked in radio - so tattooing was not an issue. When I started working in an office environment - it was kind of like finding yourself as a carnival attraction because people would see my ankle and could not believe I had it and are were even more amazed to know it was not the only one. I am lucky enough now to work for a company that has a ton of little tattooed, pierced 20 somethings and I am considered conservative because I only have one visible tattoo but there is still stigma attached to the kids who have hand or neck tattoos or facial/tongue studs and it is kind of understood, they are probably not going to move up into a supervisory position. I wonder what it will be like in another 20 years - if it will continue to move forward or if there will be a backlash and the norm will fall to not having any ink again.
i can appreciate alot of things that have been said so far...as a female with only one simple tattoo on my forearm i've been rudely followed around stores and have repeatedly been singled out by airport security...
one time at an int'l checkpoint they pulled me aside and tested my bag for residue...there was nothing suspicious in my bag and the x-ray tech didn't flag me...only when i had reached out to get my things back did this random security person at the end of the line intervene...he glared at me and was like, "no, no, no, i'll take that"...it was obvious i got profiled y'know...
on the flip side i've had positive things happen too...i've met cool people and gone places thanks to it...networking was never something i expected to happen...
someone in this thread mentioned social reaction based on locality...i'd agree that acceptablity runs hot and cold, but even in places where no one seems to care about ink there is, unfortunately, still discrimination against necks/hands being done...
i knew a kid who worked at this hole-in-the-wall diner type place that was populated by college kids and the local rock scene...you'd think someone with a neck tattoo could catch a break in this case, but no, his employer refused to let him wait tables because of it...instead he was stuck in the kitchen as a cook...the part that makes it stupid: he wasn't hidden away in that role...it was an open kitchen set-up so while you were waiting for a table, or if you were sitting at the counter you spent alot of time watching the cook...so then what's the big deal?..the discrimination appears flawed at first, but he was intentionally held back from making more money (the waitstaff did pretty well)...
oh, i meant to add this idea on the topic of discrimination...a lot seems to come down catagorizing which is like taking two-steps backwards...why is it that every show thrown at the general public still only hilights bikers, criminals, gangs, "freaks" and tribal aspects...while each of these sub-groups is interesting in a sociological kind of way, most of us know there's so much more to it...the fact is opinions are hard to change if people can't relate to the suject matter...
so it's great MI is showing another side to it...common people with interesting reasons...this is the kind of thing that really could help change some minds (this can't be said enough)...
I've gotten alot of c--- because of my tattoos... Was gunna join the navy but because of the amount I have they couldn't take me... with was a waste of time because over the phone I said I had them and did them but what ever people can be idiots even if they are in uniform... Alot of jobs I can't get... And because I live in Salem Mass and its basicly JUST a tourist town now.. you can't have tattoos in alot of places to work... oh well what goes round comes round we'll see who gets the last laugh
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
I have to agree with the discrimination end of tattoos. I am a female and I just got my fourth tattoo (which I love). But I find that the people that give me the most grief are my family and a few friends. Most people that I meet love to see my tats and think they are beautiful. Two of them are symbols of my children and most women that see them are like that is a cool way to show off your kids. I used to work at a hospital and many of he younger doctors loved checking out my tattoos, the older guys not so much. But there is alot of misconceptions out there about people that have tattoos. In many areas they feel that only people with no morals get them. AS SMarti22 said times are changing and maybe one day it won't such a big deal for people to express themselves with their art.
I was thinking about this subject and it seems that we celebrate those that get plastic surgery with shows like Extreme Makeover and the Swan. These surgical procedures are far more invasive and if I may use the term more violent than a tattoo. To do a nose job they take a mallet and SMASH your nose!!! OWW. Recovery is much more intense. The reasonings.. to fix an injury ok I get that.. A lot of it is make people feel better.. their nose is smaller their bustline is bigger... their fat is sucked out.. the wrinkles are gone... whatever... Tattoos... barely skin deep.. recovery... a few days. reasons...to make people feel better... to cover a scar... to honor a memory... express love for family... to express a part of your soul...and this is sometimes discrimated against. No parties with happy applauding family members and friends as rule... interesting.
Ruby
This message has been edited. Last edited by: rubred,
Ruby--I totally agree with your comments concerning the "acceptance" of plastic surgery! Maybe things would be different if they made a "tattooed Barbie" Anyone know how to get in touch with Matel? lol
I have stopped talking to my parents because of my tats and its not like i'm covered i have three, I am also 28 years old! I have had two children and my mother will not talk to me because i had my childrens names tatted on my legs! Whatever I hate to say it but closeminded people miss out on the best life has to offer and she told me to honor thy temple(which i guess means your body) and she got mad because i said i do honor my temple i just choose to decorate mine! It's just some ink people good lord!
Erinewho..just to let you know there is a tattoo barbie.... My parents bought it for my daughter cause I have 4 tattoo's and she is always sticking herself up with the fake ones...
just have to say this is very sad but true-did the show- and now people at my job look at me different- its funny how the youth doesnt think anything bad because their minds really havent been exposed to that much discrimination- its the so called "adults"
i've got a heightened awareness to the matter recently since i'm in the process of job hunting...i'm just starting off in the skincare/spa industry and am wondering if my ink will be a problem...however, the spa director i met with yesterday has a tattoo on her ankle that she wasn't trying to hide, which put me at ease because this was at a high end spa/location...so maybe there is hope...
Personally, I think it's just as bad to categorize people who have regular desk jobs as yuppies who are unhappy with their stations in life as it is to categorize those of us with tattoos as boozing, motorcycle riding party an
lol I just moved to a new province, so I'm attending a new church. I went to the new church with a sleeveless top on Sunday because I have no intention of hiding any part of myself from God or my new brothers and sisters in Christ. No one was concerned about greeting me--in fact, they all seemed quite eager to meet me! I've already made a dozen new friends 
I will eventually get my tattoos extended up my neck as well, and dainty little ones on my earlobes since I don't wear earrings anymore. Anyhow, I'm babbling but my point is that I get nothing but positive reactions! I should kiss my artist's feet next time I see him