Reaction to a tattoo critique gone too far

VIRGINIA CALCAGNI — Staff Writer
Hi, my name is Virginia. I am a classy lady, and I think my tattoos add to my natural beauty. I don’t say things like that often, but I say this now because the class and worth of tattoos has been degraded and judged by someone who obviously has no clue about tattoos or class.
When I read the article that was published in the paper for the University of Buffalo, in which a columnist bashed tattoos, I was astonished at how ignorant some people can be. To be more specific, Lisa Khoury, you are ignorant.
I have tattoos, and I love them. And I am not finished with them. They are beautiful, they run with the curves of my body, and they make me happy.
By having tattoos I have pieces of my own story on my body. Moments and memories, all depicted in words and pictures, but something that is my own; something that is close and important to me; something that has meaning where if I want to show to others, I have that option.
Tattoos are art and expression. I am sorry, but if you are going to sit here and tell me that art isn’t classy, then you are full of it.
I understand and have met people that have walked into tattoo shops and said, “Give me that one.” While that bothers me personally, because tattoos are forever, it is a conscious choice- not one that makes them not classy.
One of the things that Khoury said was: “An elegant woman does not vandalize the temple she has been blessed with as her body. She appreciates it. She flaunts it. She’s not happy with it? She goes to the gym. She dresses it up in lavish, fun, trendy clothes, enjoying trips to the mall with her girlfriends. She accentuates her legs with high heels. She gets her nails done. She enjoys the finer things in life, all with the body she was blessed with.”
This is wrong on so many levels to me. I go to the gym to be fit and stay healthy and wear heels when I dress up or just feel like it. I can get my nails done, but they chip and they get ruined easily. What this woman is describing is something out of “Clueless.”
Khoury is segregating women that have tattoos. She is right- this is the 21st century. I thought that crap was over.
Tattoos are beautiful. They take time and effort. The art that is put into these pieces of work is amazing to watch, and to see something that you came up with come to life on your body is just amazing.
My tattoos compliment my body and most of my outfits. They have such strong meanings to me that I don’t care what others think (though thankfully anyone who has ever said anything has given compliments).
Khoury said nothing comes out of a tattoo. She asks questions like, “Are you happier?” and “Did you learn something about yourself ?” or “Does it challenge you?”
I can answer all these questions from my perspective, and the answers are: Yes, I am happier; I have put something beautiful that I have designed on my body. I managed to take a memory and make it into a piece of art that is projected on my body.
Yes, I did learn something about myself. I learned that I could put something on my body to amplify it. I learned to face challenges head on. Yes, it does challenge me to keep things close to my heart always, to challenge adversity like this ignorant woman. My tattoos also motivate me to work hard, to make the money to get and maintain these pieces of art.
I am not saying that everyone has to like tattoos. It is fine if you don’t. But saying that women don’t have class is wrong and it is hurtful.
Tattoos are gateways to the soul without saying words. People who have tattoos aren’t halogens. They are creative, and they are artists. They are your friends, family, and significant other. They are beautiful; they are wonderful.