"Tattoos On Professional" By Yajaira Correa REVISED!!!

Name: Deseree Garcia

                               Age: 32
                              Birthplace: Carson, California
                              Home: Carson, California
                              Occupation: Respiratory Therapist

Society is often quick to judge others because of their appearance. It may be because they have visible tattoos, or maybe because they have unusual piercings. I was one of them who judged many with tattoos. Interviewing professional Respiratory Therapist, Deseree Garcia made me change my perspective on those people with tattoos. I bet your negative perspective on people with tattoos will also change after this.  This is her story.

           

            “I’m easily judged by many at my work force because they find it hard to believe that I have tattoos. In all honesty I don’t care what many have to say. I let them state their opinions, but then I tell them the meanings behind them.” Deseree Garcia said.

            One of the most visible tattoos shown on her body is a big Coy Fish permanently marked on her top right arm. Very visible because the Coy Fish is shaded in with bright Orange, Red, and Black coloring. The only way she would be capable of hiding it would be by wearing a long sleeve or sweater.

            “Many people outside of my family, friends, and coworkers look at me low because of my tattoos. It does bother me in some way because they don’t know who I am. If they knew they would know that I am a strong single mother, with a Bachelor’s Degree, and works as a Respiratory Therapist at Torrance Memorial. I tend to ignore the negative comments a lot because I KNOW WHO I AM!” Deseree Garcia stated with pride.

            What would you think the meaning behind her Coy Fish tattoo is?  Well, according to Deseree she got the tattoo to symbolize her son’s race.

            “My son Jacob is half Japanese and I thought it would be really cool to get something symbolizing his race. I wasn’t to sure of what to get, but one thing I did know was that I wanted something that would represent my son and his half Japanese side. So one day when I went to my son’s grandmother’s home I saw a big Coy Fish painting on her living room wall. It really caught my attention. I then asked her what it meant to the Japanese culture and she said good luck, fortune, and strength. That’s pretty much what motivated me into getting the Coy Fish tattoo.”

            Wow! This interview really shaped up my judgment on people with tattoos. I have come to realize that tattoos are just a form of expression. Not everyone with a tattoo is a gang member, bad person, or low-life. Like author Gloria Anzaldua would say, “Attacks on one’s form of expression with the intent to censor are a violation of the First Amendment.”