Editor:
Although I somewhat agree with a few of the statements made by Tim D'Avis in his article "Tattoos are for Sissies" (Oct. 5), I thought he was a little overly critical. D'Avis basically trounces members of fraternities and sororities who have decided to get their Greek letters indelibly imprinted in their epidermis. While I would never do something like this, even if I was in a fraternity, D'Avis must keep in mind what tattoos are all about: personal expression. If people choose to get Greek letters, the Tasmanian Devil, or little flowers Ÿthat's great. And hey, it's their bodies.
As someone who has several tattoos, though, it does disgust me to see how unimaginative and repetitive the designs people choose can be sometimes. Tattooing has always been a way to express status, exploits, identity and lineage in many cultures all over the world. While people who pick generic flashes (designs) may think their tattoos fulfill these conditions, I guess I'm just not wearing your beer goggles. I designed all of my tattoos, and they all are symbolic and meaningful, just as the tattoos of the Marquesan Islanders or Scottish Picts meant something to them. I just can't see how having something that everyone else has makes one unique.
If you're considering getting a tattoo, I have a few suggestions. First, make sure you really want a tattoo Ÿ don't be impetuous or get one while you're intoxicated. Also make sure it's a design you want. If it is something that many people have, ask the artist if he/she could change it a little bit, customizing it for you. Better still, get a copy of the flash and draw one like it up for yourself.
One thing I get told all the time when I talk to people about tattoos is something to the effect of: "You're going to regret your tattoos when you get older." My retort is my theory that most people who get tattoos get them because they think they're cool (for a few months), they got them while they were drunk, or they got something that was, in retrospect, pretty foolish. The results are people who grow older and regret getting their tattoos and go around bitching about their own stupidity.
In ten years I don't want to be standing in a line at the grocery store have some idiot who sees my tattoos come up to me and start telling me how much he wishes he never would've gotten his ink. So do yourselves, and me, a favor: think. Getting tattooed is becoming a member of a culture that you will be a be a member for the rest of your life, (unless you implement dermabrasion or laser surgery). This international culture has members ranging from gang members to band members to everyday people. Many of them know what the significance of the art and have decided to use it to permanently and undeniably express themselves. Their motives come from the heart. Don't disrespect them by getting a tattoo and then becoming one of those people who says tattoos are just regrettable.
Support Your Local Tattoo Artist,
Ben Todd
Media Arts Sophomore