C2 Features
The Chronicle
Jan. 11, 2017
Students explain their tattoos and the significance that they hold. By Layla Moghavem and Jesse Nadel
yourself. It is another form of fus-Milner said. “It is a constant art,” Jayla Ruffus-Milner said. reminder to ourselves and to “As long as our tattoos have a those who bother to ask to conWhen talk show host Wendy positive meaning behind it, she tinue to see things in a positive light.” Williams asked reality star Kim will be supportive of them.” Other students’ parents, Their third and most recent Kardashian if she had any tattoos, Kardashian responded, however, are less supportive of tattoo is of a Celtic knot on their “Would you put a bumper stick- their child getting tattoos, leav- upper right arms, which their ing them to get a tattoo through mother has as well. This tater on a Bentley?” too, Jayla Ruffus-Milner said, While some students, like illegal means. Amy* ’17, who wished to re- represents their family and how Kardashian, think that tattoos deface one’s body, others see main anonymous for legal rea- they support each other. Ian* ’18, who is a minor, is them as a form of self-expres- sons, got a tattoo when she was sion and appreciate them for 17 years old using her fake ID planning to get a tattoo next last year. She said the decision month using a letter of consent their individuality. “The Bentley will remain a was made in the spur of the mo- from his mom. If that doesn’t Bentley no matter what,” said ment, and she knew her parents work, he plans on using his fake ID, he said. Jayla Rufus-Milner ’18, who would not give her like Similar to the has three tattoos. “The bumper permission Ruffus-MilI like the idea of Ruffus-Milners sticker adds personality and the character to the car; without ners’ mother did. placing art on myself and Amy, Ian’s Though Amy’s tattoo will hold a it, the Bentley would be indisthat has meaning.” personal meantinguishable against any other tattoo was spontaneous, she said it Bentley.” —Amy* ’17 ing to him. “Someone inAccording to a study conduct- has a lot of meaning to her and credibly close to ed by The Harris Poll, a market research firm, there has been a is not something she regrets. me died, and I wanted to honor 10 percent increase in the num- Her tattoo, she said, referenc- her with the tattoo,” Ian said. Despite the permanence of ber of Americans getting tattoos es something from a difficult over the past four years. Given time in her life and serves as a the tattoos, neither Jayla Rufthis increase, the dichotomy of reminder to her to always stay fus-Milner nor Amy said that they regret getting their tattoos. perceptions of tattoos is becom- positive. “I always wanted one, and I “We never worried about the ing more and more prevalent. In addition, approximately 25 per- will get more,” Amy said. “I like permanency of the tattoos becent of Harvard-Westlake stu- the idea of placing art on myself cause we have always took a lot of time to consider what we dents said in a Chronicle poll that has meaning.” Jayla Ruffus-Milner said her wanted on our bodies so that out of 389 students that they plan on getting a tattoo at some and her sisters’ tattoos all hold we would never get anything we significant meaning to would regret,” Jayla Ruffus-Milpoint in their life. them as well. For their ner said. “We understand that Jayla Rufus-Milfirst tattoo, Jayla Ruf- they will be on our bodies for the ner and her twin sisfus-Milner got the Yang rest of our lives and that was the ter Jayda Ruffus-Milhalf of the Yin-Yang sym- entire point of getting one – so ner ’18 have three bol on her wrist, while that the message of the tattoo is matching tattoos, the Jayda Ruffus-Milner got always there.” first of which they got the Yin. This tattoo, Jayla Despite the sometimes negain Nevada with their Ruffus-Milner said, was tive societal connotations of tatmother when they meant to remind them toos, she said she and her sister ’ were 15 years old. Acthat they will always be will likely get more so they can Jayla cording to California there for each other. continue expressing themselves. Ruffus-Milner Penal Code 653, it is The next tattoo they “Tattoos do not damage the ’17 a misdemeanor for a got was the word “excel- image of people but rather clarminor to get a tattoo sior,” which translates to ify it by allowing one’s inner self in the state of California. In most regions of Nevada, however, a “ever upward” in Latin, with an to be expressed on the outside,” minor age 14 or above can get a arrow going through it, on the Jayla Ruffus-Milner said. “Everyone should be able to express tattoo if he or she has parental outside of their lower left arms. “It is basically our life motto themselves in positive ways consent, according to the Southbecause we believe in always without having to fear the judgern Nevada Health District. “[My mom] has many tattoos looking at the positive even in ment of others.” herself and believes tattoos are very tough situations, and there *Names have been changed just another way to express have been many,” Jayla Ruf-
“
nathanson s
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ESHANIKA CHAUDHARY