Stop Tattoo Discrimination!

It is known that tattoos are all over the world in many forms. It is also known that tattoos are discriminated against every day. As humans, we have the right to change our bodies. People get plastic surgery done, botox injections, piercings and tattoos. Why are plastic surgery and botox injections more acceptable than piercings and tattoos? Of course there can be two sides to this; to discriminate or not to discriminate. 

Many years ago and even now, tattoos are looked down upon. I, as well as others, can understand this. Generations from the 50's and 60's or even earlier were brought up differently than the generations from the 90's and 2000's were. Some think that art is only supposed to be on walls in picture frames or on a canvas. People with tattoos believe that they wear their art, myself included. A tattoo is merely a drawing on a person's skin permanently, as it is on paper drawn in ink. Yes, I do admit some people have tattoos that are not suitible for a public work environment. Some do get bad language, gang related symbols and other things that aren't publicly acceptable. This is just the same as the rules employers have about what words or symbols are accepted on clothes in the workplace. 

When we apply for jobs, we sign a paper saying that the employer cannot discriminate against a particular race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, or on an individual with a disability or class of individuals with disabilities. This is said on eeoc.gov, the website for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These are prohibited policies and practices. I say tattoos should be on that list, and maybe piercings as well. When I have gone to an interview, I have never been asked if I had plastic surgery done, botox injections or any other body modification to that effect. However I have been asked, or told that if I have tattoos that they be covered up and if I have any piercings that are visible that they be removed. I once asked why and was surprisingly told that they are publicly unacceptable and will turn away potential customers and/or business. I have also been told that they are not professional. I feel that there are things that are way more unprofessional other than tattoos and piercings. As an example, women dressed in very short 'dress' skirts and way too tall of a high heel. I was once told by an employer to "not dress as a girl going to a night club but rather a woman going to work". 

I am a 20 year old woman who has her own car, job, apartment and pays her own bills. I also graduated high school on time with my class that I have been with since kindergarten. I have never been to jail nor got pregnant or any other stereotypes that others associate with tattooed people. I currently have 7 tattoos on my body and plan to have a lot more. Let's not discriminate against tattoos and other body modifications anymore. Let's start discriminating on issues that really matter. Such as animal abusers, convicted rapists and murderers that have never been convicted and brought to justice. Allow us to change our bodies and not be looked down upon everyday. I know I cannot change anyones opinion and I do not wish to. I only hope to open the eyes of others and make a difference.