Human rights tattoos

MANY people get the shivers when one utters the word tattoo. For most the first thought that comes to mind is Gothicism and Satanism.
Tattoos are a subject that many people would rather not explore for reasons obviously associated with biblical issues. Anyway, I am not going to go biblical but will enlighten you on one of fashion’s ways of promoting noble causes – human rights, particularly focusing on children’s rights.

The thought of having a needle with ink making tiny permanent incisions on your skin is a no go area for many people.
But have you heard about the human rights tattoos, an initiative that seeks to promote awareness through . . . well ink on your skin.
Surprised are you? I’m sure you are because I was equally surprised at the initiative, after only having read the headline “Is it acceptable to take your children to watch you get a tattoo for human rights”. The story was written by Victoria Bruce.

In her article she said she expected widespread condemnation but to the contrary she was applauded.
“I was pleasantly surprised to find out that most of my friends are as quirky as I am and fully supported this rather unusual foray. When I re-read the question I had written I was struck by its ambiguity. Was it the venue I was unsure of or the tattoo,” she wrote.

I guessed from her article that she is an American as she spoke about getting lost in South Africa’s Johannesburg and “forking out” lots of money for a secure parking spot.

The main aim, according to the article, of getting the tattoos was to promote awareness on human rights mainly focusing on issues of child abuse, hence the reason why she among many people was getting tattooed in front of their children.

Child abuse is a worldwide scourge and is continuously increasing because many children and adults are unaware of their rights.
Talk about raping a six-week-old baby, child labour and denying children an education and health care.

As Bruce put it: “It’s not okay to bury your head in the sand and shake your head when you read the headlines.”
It is up to you and me as responsible people to stand up and do something about it.

Anyway she mentioned in her article that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made up of 6 773 letters.
“(Obviously not 6 773 different letters, the alphabet is not that long. Argh! You know what I mean.)”

Bruce highlighted that the plan was to tattoo the declaration one letter at a time on 6 773 consecutive people, forming a walk. Talking and breathing the declaration.

“It appealed to me on some primal level. I wanted a tattoo that meant something, but couldn’t think of what. I wanted a symbol of what I believe in, what I stand for, for the type of world I want for my children. I want a world for them where human rights aren’t a question, a dream or an ideal, but a truth, a reality and the norm. I wanted to be part of something bigger than me.

“Something that said: You know what? 6 773 of us care. Because it is not okay to rape a six- week-old baby. It is not okay to keep people in slavery. It is not okay to deny them education or health care. It is not okay to bury your head in the sand and shake your head when you read the headlines. It is up to you to stand up and do something about it,” she wrote.

Naturally my curiosity grew into what she was rambling on about (and obviously because of the fascination I have about tattoos).
“By having this reminder on my body every time I look down, I remember how I choose to live my life, so that every action I take is directed by 30 tenets that are obvious they should never have had to be written down,” she wrote.

She said the initiative drew the attention of many people including businessmen, lawyers, hippies, homeless people, ad executives, doctors, architects, rappers and teachers to show the importance of the idea.

“Visual art collective Tilburg CowBoys and Festival Mundial are the passion behind the idea that is taking the Human Rights Tattoo initiative across the world. So far they have tattooed people from Holland, Spain, Kenya and now South Africa. Nearly 1 500 people have already joined the movement. I am the L in impartial. I am number 1 283. I am proud my children were there to watch me make this pledge. Even if they were disappointed I did not cry or scream or spout blood like a B-Grade horror movie victim,” she said.

She urged the world to consider this as a platform to promote human rights across the world.
“So, when they come to your country or your town, why not donate one centimetre of your skin to human rights?”

With such initiative being bestowed on the fashion industry it goes without a saying that fashion plays a pivotal role in making decisions that will drive the world to being a safe haven.

Well I personally wish I could be among the human rights tattoo group and promote peace across the globe, unfortunately I understand the group was in Harare attending Hifa and sadly I was here in the City of Kings. Anyway I do trust and hope that those with those letters tattooed on them realise the power bestowed on them and the responsibility of spreading the message.

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