Are you offended by a "Thug Life" Tattoo?
By hcromer
@hcromer (2710)
United States
November 9, 2007 9:50am CST
I was reading an article today about poet and Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni. The article was a call for her to have the tattoo on her wrist that says "Thug Life" in honor of the late 2Pac to be removed. If her name sounds familiar it is because she was one of the professors that reported problems with the student that murdered 32 members of Virginia Tech on April 16th this year.
Is it just me or is your body your own? I am very offended by the fact that this guy wrote this article to begin with... Is this news now? This is the most important thing going on that he could think of? I had never thought of her tattoo as being offensive, I knew about it long before this article and kind of admired her as being a really well known and intelligent person and still having such a tattoo. I find her to be a really amazing woman and have for many years.
If you're interested in reading the article you can find it here: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/features/arts/offthepage/blog/2007/11/nikki_giovanni_and_the_tattoo.html
I'm trying to get a lot of input because I want to write an article for Associated Content about this so any input for anyone would be greatly appreciated!
2 people like this
6 responses
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
10 Nov 07
I could care less what a person decides to put on there body. I think it's stupid that this person is getting his tightie whities in a wad over this. There are tattoo's that are so offensive that it makes that silly "Thug Life" tattoo look like nothing at all. I think some people complain just so that they can be heard outside of there home.
1 person likes this
@packgirl4 (402)
• United States
10 Nov 07
This is absurd! She is a beautiful poet and if the author of the article would have done his research maybe he would understand the poetic genius that Tupac was and have a better understanding of the Tattoo. Of course our bodies are our own, but I do understand certain instances where a certain tattoo would be inappropriate.
But when you are talking about a professor like Nikki Giovanni.... come on. There are obvious links. Tupac was a man that was honest and talented. He showed a raw side of this country that NO ONE wanted to see. Anyone who honors him has my respect and the respect of many others. The Rose That Grew From Concrete.... maybe the author of the article should read that!
1 person likes this
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
9 Nov 07
I think people, in general, are far too easily offended, and half the time are LOOKING for things to offend them. So what if she has a tattoo he doesn't necessarily agree with? Is anyone forcing him to stare at it? Is it affecting his life or lifestyle in any particular way? No.
What an individual does with their body is their decision. I'm a libertarian, so I very much live by the 'live and let live' philosophy. Unless someones actions directly influence, negatively, other people, then they should be left alone to do whatever they like.
Obviously that tattoo was symbolic to her, and important enough to her to have it added permenantly to her body. Her decisions should be respected as personal and important to her. If anyone here has a right to take offense, she does, for having other people dictate what her private and personal decisions should be.
1 person likes this
@xXxMikesWifeyxXx (3072)
• United States
10 Nov 07
Okay i kinda understand were it is a problem. yes it her body she should beable to do what she wants with it but when it somthing that can mislead people. wich if ur in collage you should not be as easily influenced.lol but whatever. it could mislead people in a few diffrent ways.. like thug life is the life to live. or my teacher lived this way so whats wrong with it?
anyways,i see this guy or whoevers point.although i dont think she should have it removed.. it is im sure aginst school poilicy anyways...as long as its being covord and no one knew about it,then there shouldnt be a problem....but obviously she wasnt keeping it coverd cause here this article..
and like i said its probally in the school policy No tatoo being displayed or whatnot..
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
10 Nov 07
So to summarize, you believe people have the right to decide what to do with their own bodies, but only so far as society deems acceptable?
Where's the freedom of choice in that?
It's playing into ridiculous stereotypes and catering to the views of judgemental people.
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
7 Jan 08
I am not going to say Yay or Nay to the tattoo. I myself have a tattoo and that is not allowed in the Jewish religion. It has caused me a bit of grief by certain people but I have dealt with it and have not removed it because I had a reason for getting it. I can cover it however, so as not to offend anyone.
The world still is not ready in many areas for tattoos at all, much less ones that make a statement. There are many businesses that will not hire you if you cannot completely cover all of your tattoos.
If you have spent years going to college, and thousands of dollars gettting there, that can be kind of important. You cannot afford to just blow off employer after employer as jerks because they do not like your colorful body art!
I know that there is a lot more leniency toward tattoos than there used to be. You can get a job at most places now, where it used to be that construction or your own business were your only choices.
Shalom~Adoniah
@sassygirlanne007 (4517)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I cant believe that. I believe that everyone have the right to get whatever they want tattooed on there body its there choice. I could see if it was offensive in some way and they asked her to cover it but to tell her to remove it. Thats dumb. I think its cool that she got thug life tattooed on her, I am a big fan of Tupac.
