The way I see it, tattoos have been vilified for too long now. They have become a part of mainstream America to the point that they should be looked at only as tattoos and not statements of rebellion, trashiness, or any other negativity.

I am 62-years-old. I consider myself a decent person. I don’t think anyone would ever say that I am antisocial, rude, trashy, uneducated, or low class. I am about as average an American as can be. I was never a fan of tattoos. I never intended to get one on myself. I persuaded my sons to wait until they were older, because I knew how they were viewed by some employers. But, I never looked down on anyone who had them.

In November of 2021, five days shy of my 62nd birthday, I got a small tattoo of a bird on my left forearm. My son and his now wife hired a tattoo artist to give free tattoos at their wedding reception. I decided that I would get one just to celebrate the occasion. I like it, and I find myself staring at it in appreciation all the time.

Does the presence of this new tattoo rule out my life history and suddenly make me appear low class, trashy, antisocial, and uneducated? Sometimes, I feel that it just might, based on some looks I get mostly from older people. I first noticed this at a luncheon with fellow retirees from a school I taught at. Several of the ladies looked at my arm and whispered something to each other with looks of disapproval. I quickly said, "Yes. I am now white trash. I got a tattoo at 62!" My comment invoked laughter from most of the group and more disapproval from some. And, these are people who have known me for long enough to know who I am, how I live, and what I represent.

One day, an acquaintance told me that I should probably cover the tattoo in some situations or wear a long-sleeved shirt. I actually laughed in her face. Covering the tattoo would indicate that I bear some shame for its existence on my arm. Believe me, I do not. It would not be on my arm in the first place, had I not wanted to put it there. I do not and will not regret my decision to get it.

I have no plans to ever get another tattoo. I really don’t think they look all that wonderful when people have them all over themselves, unless they were planned out. But, if they aren’t on my body, I really don’t give two hoots about them. I do not and will not make judgments about somebody based on their tattoos. The same with piercings (which I will never have). You want them? Go get them!

The way I see it, judging people’s character or social value by the artwork on their skin is ridiculous. It makes you seem narrow minded and judgmental. To me, that is a sign of bad character.