Tattoo Acceptance in America

I remember the first time I seriously considered getting a tattoo, and shared my idea with friends and family. Often, I was bombarded with the same questions--Do you think that will help you in your work aspirations? What about finding a quality man later in life? As well as my personal favorite, do you really think in 20 years you will still be happy with your decision to get a tattoo? Obviously, their concerns were valid and with good reason, and I occasionally found myself second guessing permanently inking something onto my skin. Tattoos have not always been (and arguably are still not) accepted in American society, especially in America's workforce.

Tattoos are one of the oldest forms of art, having been around for thousands of years and practiced in many different cultures. National Geographic states that in some societies tattoos are seen as "indelible marks of tribe or of status. They can signify a difficult passage to adulthood, or identify the owner's skills. One of the most popular reasons must surely be one of the oldest—body art adds to the beauty of the wearer."

These societies in which tattoos are common tend to be more indigenous and underdeveloped, but it is clear that tattoos are a trend that is growing among Americans and more developed countries in more recent years. In fact, a statistic from 2010 showed that nearly two in five Generation Y Americans have at least one tattoo, leading people to agree that society is slowly beginning to accept tattoos as a norm in society. In fact, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in February 2010 found that 60% of 18-25 year olds think that the increase in people being tattooed has caused no discernible impact on society, or the workforce.

This growth in tattoo popularity is also a very controversial one, and tattoo acceptance in the workplace is often questioned in America. Body art is often seen as unprofessional and unfit for most "respectable" careers--in fact, very rarely does one see a Fortune 500 company CEO sporting any visible tattoos. Despite the fact that tattoos are traditionally frowned upon in the workplace, John Challenger, CEO of Challenger Gray & Christmas, argues that tattoos are no longer a huge problem for companies who are seeking to hire new employees. Challenger says, “Even in this tight job market, most companies are not going to view tattoos too harshly… One reason is that with everyone from soccer moms to MIT computer science graduates sporting tattoos, preconceptions about tattooed individuals are no longer valid. More importantly, companies have a vested interest in hiring the most qualified candidate." That isn’t to say that an extremely tattooed man will get a job as a childcare worker though. Tattoos are becoming less taboo in our society, but there are still boundaries as to what is still seen as acceptable body art in the workforce, depending heavily on the industry the person is in.

As I sat in the tattoo shop with the needle centimeters from my skin, these thoughts raced through my head. What would others, especially more elderly people, think of my tattoo? Will it make me seem more incompetent in future job interviews? But despite any reservations, I knew that my decision to get a tattoo was one I was going to go through with. I currently have two jobs, ones that are okay with any non-offensive, visible tattoos on their employees. It is obvious that tattoos are much more accepted than they were just a mere twenty years ago, and several industries have joined the trend of employing people with tattoos. The popularity of tattoos is a rate that is growing constantly over the years, and society is slowly beginning to adapt, and even accept, a generation of inked men and women.

Seattle Sounders FC win third U.S. cup championship

October 4, 2011 marked the day where Seattle Sounders FC made history as the first team to win three consecutive US Open Cup championships since 1969. Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said, “To win three in a row is something that is special and unique and hasn’t been done in an awful long time. It’s huge for the organization.” With the Sounders record at 16-7- ,and Chicago’s at 7-8-16, many thought the Sounders would walk away with an easy win, but Chicago had been on a game-winning streak, so one could not count them out of the race. The outcome of the game was unclear in the beginning.

As Sounders and Chicago Fire fans filled Century Link field with record-breaking attendance numbers, many Sounders fans held up signs that showed their pride for their team, most notably a giant green grim reaper figure, with three gravestones for DC United, Columbus Crew, and Chicago that covered the entire south end of the field, held by Seattle’s Emerald City Supporters. The seats were a sea of green and blue, with a small section of red supporting Chicago. The crowd was energetic and ready for the match to begin.

The excitement of the crowd at Century Link field was slowly starting to dissipate as the Seattle Sounders FC battled Chicago Fire for the win. It was already late in the second half, and the game was tied at 0-0, with only a few minutes left. Seattle was dominating the majority of the game, with several close shots to the net, but was struggling to get the goal that would put them in the lead. Finally, in the 78^th minute, Sounders forward Fredy Montero scored a goal, and as fireworks and confetti cannons erupted, the crowd roared and cheered in celebration while the scoreboard changed to read Sounders-1, Chicago-0.  

The goal gave the Sounders an energy boost to finish the game strong and the Chicago Fire the hunger to tie the game up. The last few minutes saw shot attempts from both sides but in the five minutes of stoppage time, Seattle would be the ones to emerge victorious. Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, who received a yellow card earlier in the game, scored the Sounders second goal in the 96^th minute, weaving past four Fire defenders and their goalkeeper. The referee blew his whistle a mere seconds after, as both the Sounders and the crowd celebrated their win, exchanging hugs, high fives, and loud cheers. The game ended with the score at Sounders-2, Chicago Fire-0.

Fans, as well as friends and family of the players rushed the field as the team celebrated their third U.S. open cup win, and earned the nickname “3eattle.” A post-game conference ended with a celebratory champagne shower that soaked the team and coaches.

The game marked Sounders goalkeeper and captain Kasey Keller’s last U.S. Open Cup championship with the Sounders, and with his goalkeeping skill, provided Seattle with a shut-out win against the Fire. After the game, Keller said, “We're not done yet. We still have one more very, very important competition left, and we're all looking forward to that,” speaking about the MLS Cup.

The Seattle Sounders walked away with $100,000 in prize money, and will be hosting their last home game against San Jose Earthquakes on October 15.