Tattoo You

In the mid-’80s it was the punk rock look; in the early ’90s it was the grunge look. Whatever your pleasure, the body as an expression of personal creativity is alive and well on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.Everyone has a story to tell, and these days it is commonly done by tattoos. While looking at the many students on campus, I’m sure you’ve noticed “creative expressions” such as tattoos and piercings. Although body art is a more than popular form of expression at WSSU, many designs seem to be very unusual or difficult to understand. For the people who have these pieces of art scattered over their bodies, it means more – a way to separate themselves from everyone else.The News Argus sought out to discover why people got their tattoos and whether this is a fad or really an expression of their culture.Darryl (Dee) Williams said, “I’m spontaneous. I love art and what they can do with a needle. They [tattoos] mark my expressions and all of them have a meaning behind them.””I’m a big fan of ink art, secondly they all have a meaning behind them. They kind of represent the things I have been through in my personality. “I have four and all of them are religious tattoos,” Williams said.For many students, they received their first tattoos when they were young. According to sophomore Kristen Feemster:”I was 16 when I got my first one, and my mom let me get it. We both got one together,” she said. Her “Daddy’s Girl” tattoo has much meaning behind it because she admits to being spoiled as a child. Caitlain Johnson, a junior, Spanish major, has both a tattoo and body piercings. She recalled getting her first piercing when she was 16. “It probably was done as a form of rebellion, but it really didn’t work because my parents didn’t mind,” said Johnson.When asked about having an eye ring and the stereotypes that are associated with piercings other than the ear, she said, “A lot of people may think that we’re not as professional as other people without them; or they may think we’re rebellious.”Williams added that he noticed that religious tattoos and roses were among some of the more popular tattoos being worn today.But not everyone’s having a religious awakening with their tattoos.Brandi Little, a junior mass communications major, said her tattoo represents a lot about her. She says, “I’m into zodiac signs and I have a high tolerance for pain.” Dominic Weaver, a senior mass communications major, said one of his three tattoos represents his trials in life.”I was just going through something at that time and everyone was bringing me down. I wanted to get something that only blacks could understand. It’s called BOCA – Blacks Overcome All. As long as I am living, I’m also succeeding in whatever I do.”So fellow peers, how would you classify an up-to-date tattoo? “A tattoo with names and designs,” sophomore Tammy Terrell answers. Tattoos seem to be the most popular way for people worldwide to express themselves and their individuality. Whether it involves a sense of art, passion, or self thought, most of all it involves an expression; a creative expression. A piece of art which will be with you for the rest of your life.