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I wish I could understand Russian right about now. It would be so useful. And
while not knowing Russian isn't helping me, I have a bit of time to burn! I
decided that with that time, I would read the good ol' Whyville Times, which has
inspired me to write an article. (Isn't that odd!)
In one of TIKE's recent articles, he talked about his eyebrow piercing and, to
some extent, about how society judges him based on one piercing. I have a couple
of similar thoughts I would like to share with you. So go get some popcorn, sit
back, and enjoy!
Almost a year ago, I had my belly button pierced. Because I later discovered
that, among other things, I am allergic to metal and piercings don't exactly go
over well because of this, I had to take the piercing out. I now have an
unnoticeable scar that I don't mind whatsoever.
One thing that came about because of this piercing is that I had to tell my
grandparents about it. I never did tell my dad's parents, because they are
extremely 'sophisticated' and I'm sure it would have given them a heart attack.
But, I told my other grandmother, whose immediate reaction was, "Why would you
want to do that to yourself?" While I didn't know the answer right then and
there, I phoned her up a couple of weeks later and told her why.
TIKE's right. My piercing never affected my ability to learn or to participate
in certain activities. The proof of that is the fact that my grades remained the
highest overall average in my class. But one thing I did notice was that I
became a lot more confident. People I hardly knew were coming up to me and
asking me questions about my piercing, and having conversations with me later. I
told my grandmother that I was a lot more confident because of it and she didn't
know what to say.
I also remember going to the tattoo parlor, where my mom had a conversation with
the guy getting his ears stretched. It's funny now, to remember them talking
about a judge who had thrown a lawyer out of court, because her dress was too
"revealing". It was knee length, and had a V-neck, it was stylish, but covered
up most of her body. I can understand why it's important to dress appropriately
in a business atmosphere, but does that mean you are confined to a suit, or long
dress?
I have always viewed people who are racist and people who judge based on
piercings in the same category. Your skin color is a part of who you are, but so
is your piercing. How can you judge a person before really talking to them? I
would also like to mention that in some parts of the world, piercings have a
religious symbolism, or are considered a passage of rites, is judging a person
based on these piercings not a form of discrimination? Think about it, for now.
Remember it, for tommorrow.
Giggler01
Former Hooligan
Editor's Note: In explanation, if not defense, of those who judge you for your
piercing: in real life, you don't choose the color of your skin, but you did
choose that belly-button ring. That does tell us something about your
personality, whereas the color of your skin tells us nothing... though one could
and should argue that both tell us nothing very conclusive.
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