#4 Results

This project was a tough one, and not tough as in academically challenging, but tough as in a real struggle for me to put myself in a position where others will definitely judge me. I had quite a few results from all the locations I placed myself in, some of which proved my hypothesis and some of which did not.
I was shocked, however, by the reactions of those I told about this project when I would be out with them. For example, my friends and family were a lot more hesitant to run errands with me, stand next to me or speak with me in public when I was a walking piece of art. I actually feel like it affected those who knew about it more than strangers I interacted with. All in all, I am glad I chose this topic, despite the stares and head shakes I received along the way.

#3 Revised Summary/Plan/Update

I have decided to place myself in situations where my fake tattoos would be both (seemingly) welcomed or frowned upon. I think it is important that I do not limit myself to certain environments that may be biased, but I would like to cover all bases. I still feel this is the most effective way to observe if others are proving my hypothesis, because I get to see everyone's candid reactions. I'm in the last few phases of this experiment and will hopefully be able to come up with some final results shortly.

#2 Strategy/Plan For Research

After deciding to conduct a naturalistic observation, I had to decide whether or not to actually video tape the experience or to just record notes on paper/my computer/phone. After thinking, I decided it would be best to write everything down and leave the camera at home. I think it would be the more effective way to really understand the thoughts going on in my head as it is all happening, and it would be the less obvious way to conduct research. I will place myself in all different types of settings that way I am exposed to the young, the old, and those in my own generation. I predict that I will encounter some difficulties; it will not be easy for me to willingly subject myself to be judged by strangers, and it will be even harder to pretend like I do not notice or care. I also predict I will get asked some questions and receive many dirty looks, but I suppose that is the way the cookie crumbles. 

#1 Suggested Research Method/Why

For my fourth quarter project, I want to experience the discrimination from the other side by conducting a naturalistic observation in which I subject myself to these "criticisms." I have always been one to stand up to those who put down the way in which others express themselves, but I have never really been on the side where the finger is pointed. To do this experiment, I will cover as much of my arms/body as I can with fake/henna tattoos and place myself in different settings. I will go to grocery stores, the mall, restaurants, anywhere I can, and record the results (how long did it take for me to be served/helped? was I given any strange looks? did people stare or point or whisper? etc.) I would really like to experience this first hand in order to help others tackle the problem themselves.

#8 - Summary of Research

When I started this blog, I knew some of what was to be expected with my topic. People will point, stare, laugh, judge, and stereotype - but it is important to be ahead of them. For those who are discriminated because of an "offbeat" hairstyle, noticeable tattoo, or crazy piercings that are everywhere but your ears, they are not in the wrong. It is time that society moves past the stigma that tattoos are for criminals and piercings are for punks; if the thoughts and ideas of others are stuck in the past, progress in any way, shape or form cannot be made! Progress includes but is not limited to being humane. Treating others who appear to look different in a negative way does not say something about them, it says something about YOU. All in all, it is important that the prejudice, derogatory and primitive thoughts of the past be left there; what others choose to do to express themselves is their business, not yours. Stop discrimination today.

#7 Tattoo Discrimination Documentary Video

In this student-made video, various students are interviewed about their opinions on different forms of body art, particularly tattoos, and the discrimination against them in the workplace. On the other side of the spectrum, however, the narrator discusses the positive aspects of being tattooed - it just might make you famous. At the end of the day, people will do as they please, that goes for both the discriminators and the discriminated.

#6 Discriminate At Your Own Risk

In an article by Joseph Farah in 2006, he acknowledges the fact that employers "with appearance codes face lawsuits from 'body modification' activists." 

Of course, 2006 was eight years ago -- when body modification was most likely just becoming a "craze" among teens; a craze popular enough to send employers running for the hills when faced with applicants who were not afraid to ask questions when told to remove any piercings or visible tattoos. I assume this is truly when people's minds began to change, and rules began being challenged, and David Barron said “employers are getting involved in expensive legal battles as they attempt to adapt to the ever-changing workforce,” but is the fact that the workforce is changing really that scary of an idea? 

Farah also writes that laws prohibiting discrimination based on appearance and behavior of this sort already have been passed in several cities in California, and restrictions against tattoos and piercings are breaking down all over the country as the trend becomes a craze among young people. 

Another highlight from the article is how baffled the public is by tattoo tolerance books hitting the shelves soon after anti-homophobia books are published - tolerance is tolerance. Farah writes "There are even children’s books like “Mommy Has a Tattoo” and the “Tattoo Coloring Book.” The topic of tattoos and body piercing is one of the hottest for campus speakers. Major corporations are working the 'hip' new trend into their TV commercials and ad campaigns. And as tattoos and piercings become more common, some zealots are moving to extremes once unthinkable.

Just as 'Heather Has Two Mommies' is now required reading for kindergartners in some school districts, how long will it be before the tolerance police mandate Phil Padwe’s new books. He’s the author and illustrator of the two new children’s books on tattoos.

In 'Mommy Has a Tattoo,' a little boy, James, is afraid of a heavily tattooed neighbor – until he realizes his mother has one, too.

'I wanted to keep it simple,' says Padwe, who is not even sure how many tattoos he has but figures it’s somewhere between 25 and 30. 'I didn’t want to get into really heavy questions or pass judgments. It’s about teaching tattoo tolerance.'"

He also discusses the dangers of body modification like tattoos and piercings, especially when done yourself. What is really important, and the argument all anti-modification "folk" are trying to make is this - know the risks. Know that unfortunately, it may hinder your chances of finding employment and that until more people change their minds, it will stay that way. Know that there are health risks to it, too; possible infections could find their way into your body and put you in serious danger. 

But also know that your appearance does not change who you are.

#5 Job-seekers claim looks discrimination

In the article below, Mary Croll-Wright, 19, is described as being extremely experienced, highly motivated and outgoing - but, due to her tattoos, blue hair, and weight, she has been denied from every hospitality position she has applied for. Unfortunately, not everyone will see past the outward appearance, and Wright says, that she has "had countless job interviews after applying for every job I can find. But as soon as they see me in person, it all goes downhill."

Read the rest of the article below.

In the past two months, Croll-Wright says she had about 20 interviews for jobs in cafes, shops and restaurants around Christchurch. She has been rejected from every one. On the phone, employers are enthusiastic, she says. But when the interview comes "they look me up and down". Some told her she was "not conservative enough", others asked whether she understood nutrition. 

Another young woman, who asked not to be named, has solid experience in hospitality and management. The 21-year-old describes herself as overweight, with tattoos and bright purple hair. She has been looking for a part-time job to finance her studies for the past two months and had about five interviews in shops and hospitality outlets.

"All of them pretty much said they were happy to hire me as long as I dyed my hair."

But she says she would like to keep her hair color because she does a bit of plus-size modelling "and my purple hair shows up really nicely in the photographs".

She says she will keep looking for a job that allows her to keep her style, but might end up dyeing it if she does not find anything.

But is it legal for employer to discriminate against prospective employees because they have blue hair and tattoos? Taylor Shaw partner and employment law specialist Kathryn Dalziel says yes.

"Employers can discriminate on weight, colour of hair and visibility of tattoos."

The answer is less clear when it comes to cultural tattoos, she says. Air New Zealand last year refused to hire a woman who had a traditional Maori tattoo on her forearm.

"She was told to wear long-sleeved shirts to cover it up and that was held to be discriminatory conduct by the Human Rights Tribunal," Dalziel says.

Discrimination based on weight has so far not been considered a breach, but could be considered a cultural or a health issue, she says. In general, as long as the discrimination is not based on gender, race, colour or ethnicity, it does not breach any laws.

"If you want to brand your business, you can prefer the better-looking.

Burger Fuel Christchurch franchise co-owner Malte Herzhoff says he checks potential employees' fingernails. Tattoos and being overweight, however, are "absolutely fine with us".

"A lot of our employees have visible tattoos. They are young people and the tattoos have meaning to them.

"It's more about the attitude than appearance. What I might find attractive, my customers won't find attractive. I'm not the one to judge that."

A Christchurch cafe owner, who asked not to be named, says candidates need to present well. He says weight is not an issue, but tattoos can make him uneasy.

"It's not a black and white thing. If they have tattoos from their fingers all the way up their arms, it's not great presentation for me."

- © Fairfax NZ News

#4 - Hair Discrimination?

Everyone loves to take pride in their looks, and everyone probably has a favorite feature about themselves. Whether it is your eyes, hands, legs, it is yours to be proud of and "modify"" as you please. But one thing that has recently caught my eye is HAIR modification discrimination.

Apparently, no one in the world is pleased when it comes to what others do to express themselves. No one, including those in North Kern State Prison, is satisfied with the way Solomon Stanley chose to express himself through his religion. He worked as a prison guard, and his Rastafarian religion encourages him to wear dreadlocks and a beard, but he was soon harassed by those around him for his choice to style his hair in the way his religion teaches.

In the article, it reads that "his refusal to cut his hair and beard has generated two lawsuits — one in federal court in Fresno and another in Fresno County Superior Court — that accuse prison officials in Delano of religious harassment, discrimination and retaliation."

Not only does this outrageous form of discrimination coincide with body modification, but it also does not allow for freedom of religion. The article goes on to explain that when a new command unit took over the prison, he began being harassed; getting called names and having his job duties changed were enough to cause him so much stress, he received a medical discharge in December 2010. 

Discrimination is a useless, mindless, terrible thing to exhibit onto another human being. Self/religious-expression in the form of modifying your body is not a reason to be targeted for harassment. Hopefully this will end soon enough!

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/02/08/3758271/ex-guards-rastafarian-beliefs.html#storylink=cpy

#3 "Taboo Tattoos"

Tattoos are becoming more common with every generation, but does that mean they are becoming more accepted as well? In almost every video I found, I observed the same things; though more people have tattoos, it is still viewed as unprofessional in the workplace. This method of self-expression is seen very differently depending on the profession, however, but despite this, the more important factor should be how well you are able to perform your job.

In this video, Fox looks into how tattoos are viewed in the workplace and what many of those who are "inked" are doing in order to land that dream job of theirs.

#2 Tattoos or a Job: Pick One.

Tattoos are not for everyone; they are a form of self-expression that show the world a little bit about yourself, while for others, it is just considered an easy way to stay unemployed.

While researching my topic I found an interesting article titled "Injecting ink into the workplace with tattoo discrimination" (click here to read it all!) in which Caitlin Jinks, an intern at the University of Wollongong discusses the unfairness of trying to pick between being yourself and providing for yourself.

In the article, Jinks makes a point in saying that body modifications such as tattoos were once thought to be for sailors, criminals and rebels. Newsflash! Times have changed and tattoos are much more common now, so why are they still not accepted by others, specifically in the workplace? 'Lucky Lauren,' a tattoo artist in Wollongong, stated that some of her clients have had to get their tattoos removed in order to be allowed a position in the Navy or armed forces.

Not only does the concept of tattoo discrimination baffle me, but for it to go far enough to prevent someone from serving for their own country is truly disgraceful. Lucky Lauren also states that "if someone is intelligent, they're loquacious and are able to conduct themselves in a professional manner within the workplace then I don't think tattoos should really be an issue."

Tattoos are with you forever, but do not change a person's personality, morals or ability to perform tasks professionally. Until the world catches up with this, however, there will be discrimination in the workplace.

#1 Introduction to Body Modification Discrimination

Hello all! In this blog I will be discussing the various issues that come along with body modifications in society today. Body modifications could be anything from as small as dying your hair a crazy color, to covering your arms in tattoos. The discrimination that takes place among the brave few who choose to tattoo and pierce themselves is overwhelmingly prevalent in the workplace, school, family life and public in general. While there is definitely a way to be and "look professional," a different appearance does not warrant ostracism or prejudice; I definitely would like to look further into this issue.