THE SCARS WE CHOOSE

Throughout history tattoos have often been relegated to the fringes of society. Their appearance is often conflated with criminality and those who wear these indelible marks are often perceived as being “different” and are othered. For some, getting a tattoo may be a frivolous activity, for others, a life changing and meaningful experience. Today 1/3 of all Americans are tattooed, and while the public consciousness has shifted in a more favorable direction, there are many people who still do not understand why some people would choose to make such a permanent, physical and painful mark on their own bodies.

Tattoos are not just a way to express identity, but to reclaim and mold it. Through the use of tattoos, people find a way to aesthetically capture a personal journey. to heal from mental and or physical trauma, to affirm their bodies, to honor loved ones, to honor themselves. The deep personal meanings of these tattoos are unlimited, and often, overlooked. In the end, though we are all subject to pain in life, there is something to be said about the power to choose the pain we subject ourselves to and the reasons that come along with it.