Misguided Ink

Jena A. Hill
Professor WebbEnglish 1101
July 17, 2014

MISJUDGED INK

Tattoos today are becoming very popular within the younger generation. Despite this

creative trend of self expression, society still places judgment upon inked individuals.

What ever happened to, don’t judge a book by its cover? Unfortunately, people fail to see

the person who really lies behind the ink.

Having tattoo’s can lead to a lot of misjudgment. Especially in the workplace. An

employer might misjudge a potential employee with tattoos for a criminal, without a

second thought. Even though it may be true that most prisoner’s have tattoos, it’s not

right to put everyone with a tattoo in that category. Even a prisoner with a tattoo could be

falsely accused. Also, an employer might consider tattoos as a sign of less intelligence.

Since when does art become a sign of a weak mind? Being creative helps open closed

minds. What’s on a person’s skin should not determine there abilities to work.

Eventually, with the growing trend of tattoos, employers are going to have to reconsider

there tattoo policies. One day this younger generation will be doing the hiring, it will

become rare to not have tattoos.

Regardless, there is still a human being behind the ink. Tattoo’s make a statement

about that persons own life experiences. Tattoos can represent culture background,

groups, religion, and even memories. Tattoos are transforming into an art form rather than

a lowly form according to some perspectives. As humans we have the gift of free will, so

who has the right to tell us what we can and cannot put on our bodies? Whether we use

the gift of free will for good or bad we should not be judged, since we all have a story to

tell whether we express it through a tattoo or on a piece of paper. Tattoo’s are a creative

way of expressing inner feelings to the world, and can help with self esteem issues and

give someone a boost of confidence. To look down upon someone with tattoo’s without

knowing the full story behind the ink is like throwing away a flower. It takes a brave

individual to express themselves to the world with a permanent line of ink. To be careless

about what others may think of there bodied art is rather spontaneous. Judging a person

with a tattoo is similar to judging a child for coloring outside the lines. Coloring outside

the lines can give someone the sense of freedom and self.

What is even more misjudged is the creator behind the ink. Tattoo artist can be

misjudged as well. The effort, thought, and talent that goes into the creating process of

the tattoo can be challenging and time consuming.

The creative process needs necessary machinery, a body with an idea, an experienced

artist with a steady hand, and a good eye for detail. Some would consider this job as a

hobby rather than a real profession. Some would fail to realize tattoo artist have

earned art degrees, while spending years building a portfolio of beautiful masterpieces of

ink.

Art is everywhere, without it life would be a blank boring canvas. Some people may see

themselves as a canvas to splash color on. A tattoo is a way of expressing a feeling or

image. Everyone has feelings, there is no need to place judgment on someone who is not

afraid to express there inner being. A piece of art is a unique form of identity, we all want

to be noticed, and have different ways of showing it. Its not right to judge another as no

one is perfect. Color your own walls and leave no room for judgment. There is more than what meets the eye, not everything that is seen is as bad as it seems. A open mind can set

a soul free. It’s not good to let the world define an individual based on there appearance.

Don’t let the world define beauty. True beauty and strength comes from within the soul,

and Ink is only skin deep. Tattoos bleed out character.