Ladies and Gentlemen, this has been a great debate for a long time. The ironic thing about this topic was a statement on Instagram. I was scrolling through my feed, and I follow “The Shade Room,” and the following statement was, “Tattoos and piercings should not be considered unprofessional.” You ask me why? Why this topic? Like I said, this is a continuous debate, and I believe that I should share to insight on the reality of the working world.
The working world/the real world is a place where they will chew you up and spit you out. The world is filled with hate and jealously. Follow me in this scenario: imagine you have a nose piercings and have a full sleeve of tattoos on your arms, and you’re applying for a office position. The manager or boss would probably shoo you away. Forget the resume, forget the personality. It’s all about the image. In this scenario, this is unfair and unprofessional. Why? Because as a professional, you should look past the image and look at the work ethic and experience that is needed for the position.
Looking at this generation, we express ourselves and our stories through ink. I think that’s beautiful. However, if you were to get a random and unnecessary tattoo, then it’s ridiculous. Previously said, I believe that tattoos and piercings should not affect someone’s professionalism. However, there is a line that can be crossed. If you were to have tattoos that are honestly dumb, and piercings that are too much, then the professional world is not for you.
Looking at this debate, this is equivalence to black girls and their natural hair in the professional world. So many people tell black girls to control their hair, or cut their hair, to the point where laws are being passed, where no laws should’ve been passed in the first place. If I had a side to all of these debates, it would be to let the work speak for itself.
I will always remember where I went to Valencia College, and their was an academic advisor who was covered in tattoos. Yet, she was one of the best there, until she moved on for a better position. She did her job through the tattoos. That’s why I always admired her. So if she could be one of the best advisors at her position through tattoos, why can’t nobody else perform their duties with tattoos and piercings?
I challenge the corporate world to take someone who has tattoos and piercings, in addition to an incredible resume. See how they perform. See how they bring up their talent and potential, and if they perform to the standard that are expected of them, them the tattoos and piercings does not define their professionalism. I encourage people with tattoos, piercings, natural hair, and anything that they have that expresses who they are to keep pushing. The world will continue to hate, but I would rather you lose the world, then to lose yourself.
Queen Media Collective 