Communication
General Purpose: To inform.
Purpose: To highlight the historical relevance of Tattoos, and their significance in contemporary society.
Central Idea: “The word tattoo came from ‘tatau,’ which means physical markings. While the popular belief is that it is a part of the modern rebellious group of modernists, it was introduced to the South Sea Islands in 1769 by Captain Cook, following his voyage to Polynesia. However, there is enough evidence to show that the practice started much earlier as seen on mummies dating back to 2000 B.C” (Isaacs, 2012).
Introduction:
Attention Getter: How have tattoos become popular? Through celebrities of course! The credit has to go to Hollywood for ‘revealing’ a few, namely, Cher, Melanie Griffith, Charlie Sheen, Angelina Jolie, and many others. Sportsmen like David Beckham, Kevin Peterson, Virat Kohli, and Mitchell Johnson.
Introduction to Topic: While Tattoos has become a fashion statement among a cross-section of populace across the world, the craze among the youth in the United States is conspicuous by its popularity.
Statement of Credibility: According to Statistic Brain, “Americans spend close to $1.65 Billion on tattoos every year, and around 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo. 31% of Americans with a tattoo say that it made them feel sexier, while 29% said that it made them rebellious.”
Thesis: Tattoos has come to be identified with modern civilization, although the old guard would consider this culture to be rebellious and taboo. Despite such contradicting approaches, tattoos do serve a specific purpose.
Preview: Today, the topic is about the history of tattoos, including, how it originated, and why it’s practice throughout the world, and more specifically its significance in contemporary America.
Transition: Its origin:
Body:
1. How it originated, and why?
A. It would be difficult to predict the origin of tattoos, but there are records unearthed to suggest that tattoos were seen even as long as 7000 years ago. It’s fascinating to know that tattoos were used even in earlier civilizations. From European civilizations, 6000 or 7000 years ago, to those of ancient Egypt, tattoos found place among medical practitioners and rulers. An example of medical practices using tattoos can be seen on ‘Ötzi the Iceman,’ discovered from the Ötz valley in the Alps, where his remains were found with over 50 simple carbon tattoos of dots and lines on his body and leg, which were thought to be a form of acupuncture (Isaacs, 2012).
B. On the question of why it originated, Lineberry (2007) in Tattoos: The Ancient and Mysterious History, believes that “humans had tattoos on their bodies for thousands of years as amulets, to denote status symbols, to illustrate their declarations of love, and so on.”
C. Joann Fletcher, from the department of archaeology at the University of York in Britain, while describing the history of tattoos, quotes Professor Don Brothwell of the University of York, as saying that in one case he inspected,” he saw tattoos in dots and small crosses on the body of the subject, suggesting that it may have been applied to alleviate joint pain” (Lineberry, 2007). Transition: However, these reasons are only guiding principles, and why tattoos are used around the world can vary depending on the place.
A. Highly conspicuous are those sported by gangs. Gangs use these art forms to label themselves. “In East Los Angeles,” says Mallon (1999), “a tattoo of the gang’s logo marks on a person, marks him/her for life. This is a reason why these groups are attracted to its use. Pride is based on its size, and its location.”
B. Hispanic gangs scribe for old English scripts and portray their violence, dead gang members, or fatalistic viewpoints. They also use tattoos to refer to the geographic location of the gang by including phone area codes, relate to drug abuse or even drug sales, and even mix religious themes into their other tattoos (May et al., 1995).
C. Black Gangs has a way with tattoos. They use Bloods and the Crips as their subject, and unlike the Hispanic gang, their tattoos are less prominent and communicate clinical data to the emergency medicine clinician. This is interesting, as in case of emergencies, any gang-related tattoo places the patient, and the emergency department staff, at risk of further gang-related violence. It is not uncommon to be treating rival gang members side by side in the emergency department. The tattoo allows the early establishment of a secure emergency department perimeter where the victim can get immediate assistance (McNamara, 1994).
D. The influence of tattoos in Asia is also seen. In Asia, tattoos are not as conspicuous as in the U.S or other western countries. Asian gangs are more secretive, and don’t make their tattoos obvious. The Yakuza are known for their portrayal of their exquisite tattoos. The practice of sportspersons to get tattoos is also known. This is perhaps their way of expressing themselves on the field, which gives them the psychological boost over others
E. Hollywood movies have portrayed the forms of gang rivalry in prisons. Most of these prisoners have tattoos sported all over their bodies. In addition to suggest rivalry, tattoos have also found a way to express one’s creativity too. There are many tattoo themes that are common among inmates, and these are normally inked in pen.
Conclusion:
Review: Tattoos have become symbolic of the growing rebellious fervor the world over. Never before has the cult practice become more conspicuous than the last quarter of the twentieth century. Beginning with what, scholars call, a way to heal and alleviate pain, as seen in the ancient scripts, to become a symbol of dynamism and modernity, tattoos have become a craze with people of all ages. Be they movie stars, sports stars, entertainers, gang members, lovers, and others, tattoos represent a cultural recognition, not common to all. As mentioned, tattoos have different connotations and they play differing roles in that person’s life.
Concluding Remark: Tattoos are everywhere and are represented in ways that elucidates that person’s character. It would be hard-pressed to stop a teenager not to sport a tattoo, if he/she has taken the decision to do so. However, the choice is purely individualistic and has no influencers or detractors. This view was voiced by an ex-Australian rugby captain, who said that as a teenager, while many of his colleagues had tattoos, he never had one, because he was afraid that he would have to live with a tattoo that appealed to a teenager, but would look ridiculous on a 60-year old.” (Mallon, 1999)
Works Cited:
Isaacs, D, (2012), Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, Journal, p.1051–1052
Lineberry, C, (2007), Tattoos: The Ancient and Mysterious History, Smithsonian magazine, Journal, Retrieved March 14, 2014, from http://www.smithsonianmag.com
Mallon, W, K, (1999), Forensic Emergency Medicine, Part Ii: Section 1: Medical Care with Criminal Law Relevance, Part 2, Aspen Publishers, Inc., ISSN: 0164-2340
Volume 21(3), p 21-29
May J, D, Ferguson M, G, Ferguson R and Cronin K, (1995), Prior nonfatal firearm injuries in detainees of a large urban jail, J Health Care Poor Underserved, 6(2), p.162-175
McNamara D, (1994), Gang violence and the street smart nurse, J Community Health Nursing, 11(4), p.193-200
