Tattoos for Passion, Not Fashion

Garrett Gentry
In Motion Staff Writer

Through the epidermis and dermis. Two layers, that’s all it takes for something to be embedded in your skin for the remainder of your life.

The Polynesians start their ceremonial tatau (sound of striking something) by sharpening a piece of bone to a fine needle, then wrapping the sharpened bone to wood, before dipping it in soot mixed with water and oil. An elder tribesman puts the makeshift tool to a young boy’s face and thus it begins; making the passage from childhood to adulthood. The more tataus a man had, the more he was admired among his tribe.

In American culture tattoos are still widely considered taboo. Tattoos are often stereotyped as being worn by outlaw bikers, nocturnal criminals or the simply shameless. But with the rising popularity of people wanting to row against the current of conservative society, these eternal accessories are becoming mainstream. 45 million people in North America have at least one, according to the Pew Research Center.

To people who wear them, tattoos are the purest form of art. They are essentially the only souvenirs from life that can be taken with you to your grave. All the paintings, pictures and murals you cherish will eventually be lost or succumb to Mother Nature’s elements.

Everyone wants to show their uniqueness, but at what costs? Some pay hundreds or thousands of dollars. But put the cost aside. Never mind the stranger that you entrust with sharp, pulsating needles. Are you ready for the patronizing judgments of society? Can you handle not getting the call back from last week’s job interview? Can you cope with the disappointment from your parents?

Whether it be a tribute for a family member or friend, a butterfly with elegant filigree designs or a smiley face from the drunken night before, tattoos display individuality. For someone to stand out without fear of being judged is where culture needs to find itself. No one needs to be judged by the colors on their skin.
This is the first of what will be a monthly column on tattoo culture, its origins and the inspirations behind them.

Joe Dezerga – (RODC tattoo) “Skating has been my life since I was about 5 years old. These tattoos represent my dedication to the hobby. The top piece was taken from the “Thrasher” magazine that’s been around since the mid ’90s. I wanted their logo since I pulled much of my inspiration for my skateboarding tricks from it. The “RODC” is something my friends and I created. It means Right Out Of Dirt City, “Dirtona” is our nickname for the city. To me it means never forgetting where you came from for us. That’s what my tattoos mean to me.”

Garrett Gentry – (Cardinals tattoo) “My tattoo of an cold ,blue, dead hand holding a vibrant crimson cardinal represents a dying woman holding onto life. To me that can be interpreted as never letting go of something you cherish.”