My first tattoo was when I was 18. I was with my long time friend, Brett, and we decided to go down to south Nevada and get tattoos. In those days, it was still "taboo" and only the "bad kids" had tattoos... I was so naïve and stupid. I put Opus, from Bloom County Cartoon on my chest. I wore that tattoo up to the age of about 37 when I covered it up with my start of my extensive tattoo process.
I have been getting tattooed since 1984-ish and have always loved the art, the studios, modified people, tattoo people, and this culture. It is FULL of narcissistic asswads who think they are something "special" but there are so many interesting, and colorful people that are a part of this family.
Now, there is much debate and arguing about those who are heavily tattooed. Non tattooed people cant fathom the idea and label us as attention seekers and people with self esteem issues looking for acceptance or attention. I will admit, I believe there is some truth to this (I love showing off my sleeves).
In my experience, MOST of those I know that are heavily tattooed are pretty opinionated, loud and boisterous. There are some modest folks in this family too, quiet, reserved, etc.... I don't feel that diversity is limited in the tattoo culture, it too spreads across all spectrums.
For me, personally, as most of you know, I am pretty loud, opinionated and an attention suck, so I fit in that model of inked folks. But I also really value the art, and the ability to express myself however I feel I need to in my tattoos. I also have a taste for "non offensive" tattoos and prefer colorful, vibrant stuff with a story. I am happy my tattoos are appealing and tasteful....Some surely aren't!
The other side of that, is I realize that many don't care for tattoos, many organizations, professionally, have policies against showing tattoos or body modifications, and I have always respected those rules and boundaries. I still love the saying...
"What's the difference between tattooed people and non tattooed people?
Us tattooed people don't care that you aren't tattooed"
I find this to be true in my experience and perspective of the art.
In the last year or so, I have started to get both my arms completely sleeved. I am able to wear long sleeves for work, and never questioned this would be how I carried myself professionally. I do not get offended that others don't appreciate my love for tattoos, and ultimately, I am not at work to capitalize on my personal creativity or expression, I am there to do a job...THATS IT!
Yesterday, I had a debate/dialog/conversation with a few 30-something tattooed and modified people. Their argument was that
It is unprofessional for an organization to have policies to cover tattoos, take out face piercings, and cover body modifications.
This conversation went back and forth. From my perspective as a past administrator, and manager of people, as well as being a heavily tattooed person. MY stand, was that companies, organizations, and employers set rules, have standards they incorporate that built the business to the point where you get to have a job, and it is unreasonable to expect they change those standards, rules and policies to meet their individual, and personal expression. I also stated that it was NOT unprofessional... What is unprofessional is a person thinking they are entitled to ANYTHING from and employer. You are there to do a J-O-B, and anything outside of that, is not allowed. How is that a radical, and unreasonable concept?
Man, I was slammed by these people!!!
The argument continued about modified people being "capable" and "good workers", etc.... I explained that it wasn't about their ability to do the job, its about meeting the standards of the organization that signs your check (so you can go get modifications....idiots)
I was slammed again!!
Then it went to
"How can we make a stand for our cause if we aren't standing for it everywhere?"
I stated
"You are there to do a JOB, not fight or support a cause"
Holy shit, then it got really bad!
The person I was chatting with directly was a moderator of the page and made her final statement and then closed the thread to any further comments....
Wait, wait a minute, wait just a damn minute!!! Did you just prove my point??
So, I contacted the moderator directly and explained I wasn't trying to fight, just making a point, and then used her actions to support what I was saying...
"Well, its your page, your rules, and much like I said in the thread, if I want to stay in your group, I will follow the rules, because unlike you and the others in that thread, I have no expectation for you to bend your rules to suit me"
BAM you stupid, entitled idiot!!
In the last couple of months, I have witnessed things first hand that I thought were only rumors...
Our youth going into the workforce with a mindset that they are "owed" something.... A generation of parents who allow children to make rules... A complete loss of work ethic to be replaced with demands from employees....Man, this is NOT the world I grew up in, and man, I am glad its not the generation I am growing up in.
Let me state, I love being an American, I love the USA, our freedoms, our ability to pursue what we want, but this "First World Country" mentality and ease has really created some ridiculous shit.
I mean really....Do you think in 3rd world Countries they are concerned with which bathroom to use, what gender they are, their rights to be that gender, attacks and ridicule for opinions and choices? Do you think they are wasting countless peoples pay and resources to pursue some 50-60 year old person for acts they did as a teenager or college kid? Do you think they model and worship actors and celebrities who are nothing but facades and are putting on an act? Do you think they care that your cardboard should go in one trash bin and plastic in another, and food in another??
It seems, human beings, as they attain more liberties and freedoms, they expect those to be accepted overall, with no standards and move the through the world without regard for rules (and trust me, I have broken my share of rules).
I hate to say this, because I am sure it will make my blog hit some secret service flag system, but people here need a taste of what the REAL WORLD actually is. We need a "reset" button to push so we can get back on track.... And in todays age, the only way that is going to happen, is some kind of really devastating thing take place here... Something that reminds people of what is really going on in the world, and where our priorities serve us, not limit us.
I am a dark humored, inappropriate, clown.... I push buttons, I walk edges and I make dark jokes....But I always do it to lighten a mood, or set precedent in how to deal with me....But now, I am scared to really BE who I am because so many people get so easily offended anymore. And now, when you offend someone, they can actually pursue you administratively, or legally....AND WIN!!
I have heard it all my life, by every generation before me...
"What has happened to our society? What is wrong with the youth of today?"
And here I am now, in that passing era, saying the very same damn things... We advance?? We get better?? We grow??
No, the hypocrisy of it all is in this pursuit of acceptance, it is limiting people and who they truly are. And I don't know about you, but I much prefer dealing with a "REAL" person than some fake ass poser putting on a face and doing bullshit happy dances claiming the world is all dandelions and unicorns...
We all pray for a world where kids will not have to experience terrible acts, extreme violence, war, atrocities, etc.... But I think, without those realizations, we have now created a space where this generation can CREATE drama to focus on. We have guarded our youth soooo much, that they feel they are entitled to protection form everything.
I am sure, because of how the world operates, these youth will get to experience their share of struggle and hardships. Life aint no bowl of cherries, and its a cruel and harsh world we live in, at the very core of life's creation, it is conflict, battles and adversity...SO, life WILL catch up to these entitled little shits...
In a world of people being offended, I am offended that they are offended... Us being guarded from all the harshness of the world does not prepare us for when the harshness comes in full force with a vengeance... There are no "safe spaces" in this world, there is no stopping violence, there is no way that in humans current state that "World Peace" will be possible and the growth of this entitled mentality is going to get a big SLAP one day... I hope I am here to see it... Without getting sued for being offensive... lol!!
But, I have said it before....
"Either the whole world is crazy, or I am"
And I am still not sure which is the truth...
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