Tattoo Acceptance: Understanding Identity and Personal Expression | Amanda Leu | TEDxKentState

I am a Collector of beautiful artwork. I am very fortunate that I can take my collection with me everywhere that I go, because I am not just any collector. I am a Tattoo Collector. In the same way that our planet can be seen simply as a Pale Blue Dot floating through space, some people fail to see the inherent beauty and passion in the art of tattooing. In an age where more and more people in our society are getting tattoos, it is time we move away from a culture of justification into a culture of celebration. Collectors and other tattoo enthusiasts feel the need to justify why they have tattoos instead of being encouraged to celebrate what those tattoos mean to them. I have had to explain every piece of art on my body so many times, that it is easy to forget what those tattoos represent and how critical they are to my sense of self. We need to erase the stigma around tattoos; tattoos have been, and should continue to be, an important and irreplaceable aspect of many cultures throughout history. We should stop classifying tattoos as a form of body modification, and instead start thinking of tattoos as an aspect of identity and a way to share personal stories. Amanda Leu earned a Master's in Education in Higher Education and Student Personnel in 2014 from Kent State University. Throughout her years at Kent State, Leu has worked with many KSU offices including the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the LGBTQ Student Center, the Women’s Center, the Center for Student Involvement, the College of the Arts, and the College of Communication & Information. Currently, Leu serves as the Coordinator for the Office of Academic Diversity Outreach. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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