Tattoos and piercings are becoming a norm in today’s society, and they can be seen on the skin of teachers and Red Cross workers across the nation. Millennials have deemed these modifications as works of art and self-expression, but one Melanie Phillips poses a different point of view. She claims that these self-alterations are forms of self-mutilation, and they serve only to show how corrupt the values of recent generations have become. Her article utilizes extreme criticism of one man’s tattoo and contains several accounts of contradiction. Phillips’s language is charged with negative connotations aimed to degrade and deface those with tattoos/piercings and discourage future modifications in fear of being thought of as a “sadomasochist” (Phillips,
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She claims that tattoos are primitive, used for godly tributes and symbolizing social status among members of ancient cultures; she then states that “this is an age of spiritual emptiness” (Phillips, 2008). However, displaying such spiritual images on the body is a direct refutation of this so-called “emptiness.” As tattoos are permanent, the choice to put a spiritual image on one’s body would require deeply-rooted faith and the desire to highlight one’s beliefs and morals. Logically, if one believes that today’s society is morally corrupt, then a tribute to cultures whose values were so important that they were exhibited on their very skin would seem to be a step forward rather than a step …show more content…
Artists now have a living, moving canvas on which to display their talents, and to call this artwork harmful, savage mutilation is to denounce the time, precision, and effort put into such masterpieces. Body modifications express individuality and create lasting memories for those upon whom they appear. They have been around since ancient tribes roamed the land, and they have progressed from a ritualistic tradition to a condemned taboo and back into the everyday lives of modern society. Tattoos and piercings are unique alterations to oneself that provide people with the opportunity to display pieces of themselves in a visible, tangible manner. It is time for the rest of society to accept their normality and judge people based on actions and words rather than
She claims that tattoos are primitive, used for godly tributes and symbolizing social status among members of ancient cultures; she then states that “this is an age of spiritual emptiness” (Phillips, 2008). However, displaying such spiritual images on the body is a direct refutation of this so-called “emptiness.” As tattoos are permanent, the choice to put a spiritual image on one’s body would require deeply-rooted faith and the desire to highlight one’s beliefs and morals. Logically, if one believes that today’s society is morally corrupt, then a tribute to cultures whose values were so important that they were exhibited on their very skin would seem to be a step forward rather than a step …show more content…
Artists now have a living, moving canvas on which to display their talents, and to call this artwork harmful, savage mutilation is to denounce the time, precision, and effort put into such masterpieces. Body modifications express individuality and create lasting memories for those upon whom they appear. They have been around since ancient tribes roamed the land, and they have progressed from a ritualistic tradition to a condemned taboo and back into the everyday lives of modern society. Tattoos and piercings are unique alterations to oneself that provide people with the opportunity to display pieces of themselves in a visible, tangible manner. It is time for the rest of society to accept their normality and judge people based on actions and words rather than