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Tattoos are totally acceptable in our day

July 2, 2007 10:06 am

This is in response to Di Thompson's recent op-ed ["Body art may have delayed consequences," June 22].

I would question a person's "character and intelligence" if they shared the same ideology as Ms. Thompson. Maybe back in the '50s tattoos did hold the stigma of teenage rebellion or "lack of respect for authority and the law," but today tattoos are accepted, embraced, and downright common.

I thought we as a society had risen above discrimination against others based on their appearances. Respect is something you earn; it's not given to you because of the way you look. This is something that is taught to even the youngest of children.

Alcohol equals tattoos? Any qualified tattoo artist will tell you that getting a tattoo while under the influence is not permitted. Alcohol causes your blood to thin, so when you get a tattoo you will bleed more, which becomes a hazard to both the tattoo artist and the one who is receiving the tattoo.

It's "a test of bravery"? Whatever happened to saying "no" to peer pressure? If you're dumb enough to let someone else tell you what to do with your own body, you deserve a cookie-cutter flower tattoo on your lower back.

Hepatitis from tattoos? Nobody said that getting a tattoo is without risk, but if you're smart you will do your homework and learn the steps to prevent contracting a disease.

People get tattoos for all sorts of reasons--some in memory of a family member who has passed, others have their children's names. Tattoos can depict mythological animals or patriotic flags. The point is that a tattoo is an expression of oneself. To judge someone based on their tattoos is no worse than judging somebody based on their religious affiliation. It all comes down to accepting others no matter how different they are or look.