Do tattoos stain professionalism?
Kristy Kibler
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Features
"If they're talented enough to do the job, (tattoos) wouldn't make a difference," he said. "It boils down to talent."
Vecchio said print journalism isn't quite like any other profession.
"We deal so much with the public, and I think we have to reflect that diversity," he said. "Part of being a journalist is being contrary. All other things being equal, I might pick a candidate (with tattoos) just to throw people off balance. Newspapers aren't really in a position industry-wise where we can harm our credibility any further."
Ed. Simone, chairman of the department of visual and performing arts, said tattoos can be a hindrance, especially in a creative profession like acting.
"I have nothing against tattoos personally, but professionals know that if an actor auditioning has a very prominent tattoo, it could affect casting, even in films, and especially in period pieces," he wrote in an e-mail. "Unless the actor is a star, production companies won't want to pay to have the tattoo digitally removed. Actors need to be careful about getting tattoos."
Bill Hokensen, owner and chief tattoo artist of Alley Ink at 393 E. Main St. in Bradford, Pa., has many tattoos himself and said students have to remember that society is still biased against them.
"Still today, people are going to put a label on you. No matter where you go, what you do," he said. "I'm just like any other ordinary guy. I have a family; I have two kids, and I'm going to buy a house. I don't even drink; I don't even do drugs. I smoke cigarettes and drink pop.
"And the thing is, I go anywhere like this… what do they say? 'Oh stay away from that guy- he's this, he's that.'"
Hokensen also said people's expectations vary depending on the job.
"A lot of people come in and go, 'Well, you've got tattoos there.' Well the thing is, I don't have to answer to (anyone); I'm my own boss," he said.
"But say I did something different. Say I was a doctor, or a lawyer, or something like that, and I walked up to you, the way I am right now… you're going to look at me two different ways. And usually it's going to be, 'He's an idiot.'"
Thad Furman, a senior English major, has roughly 50 tattoos. He said although it's rare, he still occasionally finds himself being judged based solely on his tattoos.
"If one were to ask me my opinion about their getting a tattoo in a visible place, I would have to tell them to think long and hard about what they wanted," he said.
Even if someone decides they're ready for a tattoo now, Hokensen warns the novelty might wear off.
"If I could take off half the ones I have, I would in a heartbeat," he said. "I was young, and I was stupid, and now I'm trying to stop people from making the same mistake I made."
Vecchio said print journalism isn't quite like any other profession.
"We deal so much with the public, and I think we have to reflect that diversity," he said. "Part of being a journalist is being contrary. All other things being equal, I might pick a candidate (with tattoos) just to throw people off balance. Newspapers aren't really in a position industry-wise where we can harm our credibility any further."
Ed. Simone, chairman of the department of visual and performing arts, said tattoos can be a hindrance, especially in a creative profession like acting.
"I have nothing against tattoos personally, but professionals know that if an actor auditioning has a very prominent tattoo, it could affect casting, even in films, and especially in period pieces," he wrote in an e-mail. "Unless the actor is a star, production companies won't want to pay to have the tattoo digitally removed. Actors need to be careful about getting tattoos."
Bill Hokensen, owner and chief tattoo artist of Alley Ink at 393 E. Main St. in Bradford, Pa., has many tattoos himself and said students have to remember that society is still biased against them.
"Still today, people are going to put a label on you. No matter where you go, what you do," he said. "I'm just like any other ordinary guy. I have a family; I have two kids, and I'm going to buy a house. I don't even drink; I don't even do drugs. I smoke cigarettes and drink pop.
"And the thing is, I go anywhere like this… what do they say? 'Oh stay away from that guy- he's this, he's that.'"
Hokensen also said people's expectations vary depending on the job.
"A lot of people come in and go, 'Well, you've got tattoos there.' Well the thing is, I don't have to answer to (anyone); I'm my own boss," he said.
"But say I did something different. Say I was a doctor, or a lawyer, or something like that, and I walked up to you, the way I am right now… you're going to look at me two different ways. And usually it's going to be, 'He's an idiot.'"
Thad Furman, a senior English major, has roughly 50 tattoos. He said although it's rare, he still occasionally finds himself being judged based solely on his tattoos.
"If one were to ask me my opinion about their getting a tattoo in a visible place, I would have to tell them to think long and hard about what they wanted," he said.
Even if someone decides they're ready for a tattoo now, Hokensen warns the novelty might wear off.
"If I could take off half the ones I have, I would in a heartbeat," he said. "I was young, and I was stupid, and now I'm trying to stop people from making the same mistake I made."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
N Johnson
posted 4/18/08 @ 11:37 AM EST
"Schools are extremely conservative institutions..."
One can only assume that DR. Burke has been extrememly distant from local schools for several decades! Since, I assume, the topic of the item was regarding, what is commonly referred to as "personal physical image and appearances" and not political idealogy, then I still think Dr. (Continued…)
Post a Comment