The silence in my house is deafening to behold. Silence is necessary for everyone to work from home or complete schoolwork. Most moms pray for silence, but I have a secret. I hate the quiet. Give me laughter, the sounds of toys being played with, and constant questions over homework over the lack of din. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom since the pandemic began, but as things are slowly headed back to normal as more and more individuals are vaccinated, I’d love to be able to head back to the office. The office, however, is no longer there. I left my call center job so my son could complete distance learning, and now, it’s remote work.
I’m on the hunt for a new job since I’ve recently graduated college with a major in business administration. Despite having a nearly perfect GPA, I cannot seem to get my foot in the door anywhere. That begs the question… why? Let’s rewind for a moment.
Buzz, buzzzzzz, buzzzzzzzz…. went the vibration of my tattoo artist’s gun. My latest tattoo is that of a buck with impeccable linework that I got in honor of my father, who passed away. I have a stack of books lying on a bed of flowers. I have a semicolon tattoo in the form of a compass and quill. My favorite piece is that of a crown on my inner forearm. All my tattoos are on my arms. As my mini midlife crisis also came amid a pandemic, I got a septum ring when it was possible to revisit piercing parlors. My hair color is rarely a natural shade. Before my move back to blonde, it was a beautiful ombre purple… So was my body art getting in my way?
In America, 42% of individuals have tattoos. The industry with the most tats is the military, but I’m not exactly GI Jane. Agriculture comes in second-highest, but I’m not Farmer Laura either. Ironically, the most lenient policies for tattoos and piercings are the government but don’t sign me up for the Bureau just yet. 76% of folx feel tats and piercings can hinder your chances for interviews. However, only 6% say they wouldn’t hire someone with visible tattoos. Where does that leave this Southern momma? Unfortunately, it may be in that 6%. I live in South Carolina, one of three states with the highest discrimination against tattoos, and Florida and Oklahoma.
While I can empathize to some degree, I cannot fathom the entire scope of not hiring someone because of tattoos or piercings.
I’m an independent, smart, capable woman. I’m resourceful, and I get the job done. I went back to college in my late twenties and early thirties and obtained two college degrees along with two certifications. I’ve struggled and pulled myself up by the bootstraps to earn everything I have, all the while being a momma at the same time. I can multitask with the best of them. And if a company can’t see past my colors and the stories I’ve had marked on my body, I don’t want to work there anyway.
Featured image via Matthew Leland on Pexels
