Recently, I went on a hair coloring adventure which ended painfully. A series of events involving successes and failures resulted in my hair being dyed an aquamarine shade of blue. I thought it looked awesome, and went about my day-to-day life thinking nothing of it when I got to work. I was bombarded by laughter, insults and even more rude comments than I could have imagined just because of an unnatural hair color. I knew the customer service industry has always been under fire for those who step outside the norm, but this had opened my eyes completely.
In today's world, 36 to 40 percent of Americans under the age of 40 have a tattoo. That's a huge percentage of the working class of the United States. So what do tattoos have in common with odd colored hair? They're both modifications to the human body. The big difference? One is semi-permanent, the other is usually permanent unless you have a UV or white ink tattoo.
We live in an era where there is a disconnect between the older generation and the younger. It's all you hear about anymore: the Millennials versus the Baby Boomers or any of the other older groups of people. We have different mindsets now than those who came before us, and because of this what was once associated with a dysfunctional individual is now considered creative and inspiring. Colored hair is a way to express yourself and tattoos are body art or a way to mark important moments in your life. And yet, it is still strongly frowned upon by businesses and institutions as a mark of someone who cannot do a good job.
The modification of the human body has become more acceptable as humans have moved away from the idea of maintaining the body how "God intended it" and we are instead pursuing science and art as a way to enhance our state of living. What continues to baffle me is why is the modification of the human body, whether it be piercings, tattoos or colored hair, considered to be inappropriate in some professional environments?
We have yet to move beyond the outer shell of ourselves and examine the character of a person when we meet them. The proof of this is evident in the widespread racism throughout the United States and the recent cruelty to both the African-American community and police officers who are beginning to be stereotyped as racist white males - and though they may make the majority that is not who they all are.
Why are tattoos and unnaturally colored hair considered distasteful and not pierced ears and graying removal kits for the elderly? Why must the older generation continue to judge the younger and prophecy doom on them for enjoying themselves and living creatively?
We are stuck in an endless cycle of the elderly scolding the young and the young growing to judge and hate as well. I hope that my generation, that the young of America will learn to be kind and understanding to those younger than they are when we grow old.
