First, huge thanks to Jim Ward — probably one of the most significant influences many of us have had — for hamming it up in this photo, and thanks also to Sean for making it happen!
I wrote this for the scrapbook. Haven't decided yet whether I'll squeeze it in or not:
PersecutionIt's commonly said that “the difference between tattooed people and those without tattoos is that tattooed people don't care if you're tattooed or not.” That is, we don't have a problem with them, but they have a problem with us (even though we've done nothing to them).
I find it truly frightening when I hear about young people — generally bright creative young people — who are threatened with expulsion from school for choosing to have body piercings. What does it say about our society that we feel that a person who modifies their body does not deserve even basic rights such as education (which it should be added they have paid for via taxes)?
You want to make fun of us? Fine, parade your ignorance; it reflects poorly on you, not on us. You want to try and deny us our survival by using every heavy handed means at your disposal to take away our right to express ourselves? That is a declaration of war, and it is an act of genocide.
For while we are not overtly born into this appearance as with race, neither have we simply chosen it on a whim. It is who we are, and to take it away is to murder a part of us.
glider
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