Today, having tattoos are a common occurrence in America, with 20% of all Americans and 38% of millennials having at least one. However, despite the increased percentage of people with tattoos, the public opinion of them has not changed much. People are still quick to judge others with tattoos, saying they are less educated, less intelligent, are careless, and make bad decisions. However, having tattoos doesn't make you anything other than you and other people need to start realizing that.

1. It is wrong to judge others for their appearances.

As a society we are constantly saying that it is wrong to judge others based on the way they look. However, when it comes to tattoos, we seem to forget this important message. We are the first to jump to conclusions about who a person is and how intelligent they are based on the presence of a tattoo. If it's wrong to judge someone by their appearances, then why is it okay to judge someone based on the appearance of a tattoos.

2. Tattoos don't determine someone's worth.

We often think lesser of a person with a tattoo, saying they are unintelligent, criminals, and untrustworthy. But why is this? How does having a piece of art on the exterior of my body change who I am on the interior? It doesn't. When I got my first tattoo my IQ didn't drastically decrease, my aspirations didn't suddenly disappear, and my big heart didn't magically turn black and cold. All a tattoo changes is the exterior of your skin, not who you are as a person. It's time we realize that.

3. We are still capable of doing our job.

Even in today's modern, accepting society, having a tattoo is considered a set back while looking for jobs. People are quick to assume that having a tattoo makes you careless and untrustworthy, two qualities not fit for professionals. However, what people fail to realize is that our ability to complete a task and do our job isn't hindered when we decide to permanently mark our bodies with art. We can still perform to the same level that we could before we got a tattoo. Like I said earlier, tattoos change nothing other than your outer appearance.

4. We are proud of our tattoos.

Our tattoos have meaning, importance; they are symbols of hardship and celebration, and we are proud of them. When you decide to share your dislike of something that means so much to us, it really hurts. Everyday we wake up with this beautiful piece of art on our bodies that remind us of who we are, what we've been through, and what we can accomplish; and we feel proud. Our tattoos tell our stories and it's about time that everyone comes to accept them or keep their negative opinions to themselves.