Just over a year ago, I had an incident that ended with my collar bone fractured and displaced so far that the only solution was to get surgery and have it pinned back together. My family and friends were exceptionally supportive through my recovery. So supportive that I assumed they would be just as supportive when I wanted to get a very small cross between two of my surgery scars on the back of my shoulder to represents God’s part in the incident and the recovery but certain people reacted in a way that could be described as the polar opposite of supportive.

This simple situation opened my eyes to the bigger problem. Growing up I agreed with people who had negative opinions about people covered heavily in tattoos, but this changed my point of view. If people had no problem telling me they didn’t like a simple cross that marked one on my personal experiences, what was really the problem they had against tattoos? This is a question I still cannot answer.

My tattoo has meaning. My tattoo is in a spot that can be easily covered. My tattoo is on my body, so why did it offend people so much they felt the need to make negative comments?

People have made comments to me like “you ruined your beautiful skin,” “you wouldn’t put a bumper sticker on a Porsche,” “why can’t you just remember instead of getting it tattooed?” Through all these comments I am still 110 percent in love with my tattoo and that’s something that will never change.

It is sad the way a non-tattooed person feels the need to speak their opinion to everyone who is tattooed. I have never once heard a single tattooed person say anything negative about a person without tattoos, but the non-tattooed are always quick to say their opinion and make sure it is known. It is honestly sad that there is a community of people who are against something people choose to do with their own bodies. I understand you have freedom of speech but I have the freedom to tattoo my body.

I have the utmost respect for everyone’s opinion but to all of you that are against tattoos, there are many of your point of views I find very incorrect and small minded.

The stereotype that tattoos are for criminals or lower class people is wrong. I am an 18-year-old girl with a perfect record attending University of Kentucky and yes, I have a tattoo. My tattoo does not make me a criminal or lower my place in society.

The second incorrect stereotype is that we will regret it in the future. Yes, some may regret it in the future but this is such a stereotyped saying that comes from the non-tattooed community. Who are you to say what I will think in the future? Who are you to say how I will feel about my tattoo?

The third incorrect stereotype is the statement toward tattooed women that we are ruining our skin. I see my tattoo as art. My tattoo has a meaning to me that I cannot even put into words, every time I look at my tattoo I cannot help but smile. I did not ruin my skin, I marked it with a tattoo that has meaning and brings me happiness. You may see it as a negative, but that is why it is not on your body. That is why I choose to get the tattoo, and you did not.

You all have your reasons you do not have tattoos, and I have my reasons why I have mine. I know many of you have point of views I cannot change. I guess I am just hoping you can start seeing things from the point of view of the tattooed instead of using stereotypes and judgment. I fully understand your point of view but you do not seem to understand mine. My skin is beautiful and with my tattoo I give it meaning.