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Oct
13
No Tattoos
Filed Under Uncategorized
I think my next tattoo will be a facial tattoo, like this one 
Some people don’t realize that I’m a teacher. Yes, I teach jiu-jitsu, but I also teach High School English—15 years. When I tell people I teach English they’re usually surprised and it’s probably because I’m a 300 lb. black man with tattoos and dread locks.
I bring up my appearance only because my school district would like to implement a dress code for teachers, and one of the stipulations would be to cover any tattoos that may currently show (I’m working on a sleeve, so my tattoos definitely show).
If the dress code passes, I will not cover my tattoos. My tattoos are an opportunity for discussion, an opportunity for enlightenment, a jumping board for understanding, a chance to teach—and of course that’s what I do—I teach. Everyday in class I have an opportunity to end a stigma, and I won’t bury that opportunity under long sleeves or official school policies.
Glad to see you stand your ground. I feel the same way.