Is it so hard to understand that freedom should mean FREEDOM? I'm not heavily modified, at least not yet. I am currently the proud bearer of only ten piercings, but those ten piercings fit me, they make me happy, they help me display who I am. I'll also be sporting some heavier mods and large tattoo's in the future.
At A Glance Author Mynd666 Contact [email protected] IAM mmcneill When N/A Now, I realize that not everyone is going to understand why I do what I do, and I don't expect them to. Hell, there are a plethora of things that the average "normal" person does that make absolutely no sense to me, but I don't see any reason for me to try to stop them, if it makes them happy who am I to judge? Unfortunately there are far too many people in this world who are unable to see things with an open mind. People who cannot be content to live and let live, people who must strive for conformity in themselves and in everyone else that they can find to preach to. Unfortunately the world doesn't work that way, everything can't be the same, everyone can't be the same. You are who you are and to deny yourself that is to deny enjoyment of your life. An athlete would not be happy spending their life as an accountant, nor would an artist be content working as an auto mechanic. And a modded person will not be happy being un-modded.
On to the matter at hand. I have worked in many different fields, food service, retail, computer technician, electrical, mechanical, factory production, etc. And I have run into problems in the past, sometimes I could see and agree with their point of view, and in those times I was willing to find some middle ground that suited both interests. However, I have not ever, nor will I ever, altogether change who I am without justification in order to keep a job and make some ignorant bufoon happy.
I have been working at my present job for a year and a half now. I do my job, I do it well, and I am well liked by my co-workers. I work in a steel fabrication plant, as a machine operator / maintenance mechanic. At the time that I was hired I had my tongue pierced, a labret piercing, 00ga lobes, and two standard lobe piercings. I went to the interview, jewelry in place, and was hired, as a machine operator. Over the next few months of working there I proved myself as a knowledgeable mechanic, and showed my willingness to work hard, and was thusly rewarded with a position as the shop maintenance man and a rather nice raise in pay, all the while still having the same piercings. Skip forward a few more months, I decided to get a madison piercing, 10ga, with a tephlon barbell. Suddenly my appearance became an issue, it seems I can have long hair, a beard, earings, and walk around covered in grease and grime from repairing machinery, but having a piercing in my neck might b e offensive to customers, and I was asked to either hide or remove it. I refused to do either and the issue was not forced, perhaps because I wound up removing the piercing a month or so later. I nearly lost a finger in an accident at work and decided that I'd rather have my body concentrate on healing one thing at a time. Flash forward another month or two and I get a septum piercing, and once again my appearance has become an issue of offense. At first I was once again told that it might offend a customer, (What kind of business man would drop a several thousand dollar contract because a factory happens to employ someone who has a facial piercing?), I told them that if a customer finds me offensive, that same customer may very well find a black man offensive, but they wouldn't fire someone for being black would they?
The next move was to claim my piercings as a safety hazzard, they posted a notice reading;
"Effective Monday, December 17, 2001
all employees will not be allowed to
wear any jewelry, including body piercing.
Wedding bands are allowed by choice,
but KMP will not be responsible for any
injuries incurred as a result of wearing it."This would be fine if there were some justification, as yet they have provided none, no evidence that my facial piercings pose a risk anywhere in the shop. I don't wear rings or a watch because they ARE a deffinate hazzard. On top of all of this they have said nothing to anyone wearing a watch. If they're afraid that my septum ring will get snagged by something why do they allow long hair, and beards, untucked shirts, etc. Office employees are still wearing their jewelry, secretaries still have earrings, is this supposed to be only for males? Also, it has even been admitted by other employees that this policy is aimed at me. I am currently serving a three day suspension, without pay, for refusing to remove my piercings. I have already contacted the EEOC, and filed a complaint about the actions of my employer, and I will soon be contacting an attorney.
This fight is leaving me in a very bad financial situation, I've even been told by my own girlfriend that I should just give up and take out my piercings to keep my job, "Sometimes you just have to kiss their ass" as she put it. Perhaps, maybe I should give up, after all, who cares about the rights of an idividual. Should I give up? Should Rosa Parks have just gone to the back of the bus? Perhaps Dr. King should have just stopped marching. As I said, my piercings aren't fashion, they are an extension of who I am, my soul on my skin as it were. Maybe I should give up, but I most certainly will not.
That said, this Is an uphill battle, and I could use any help and/or advice that I can get. If you have any suggestions, or can help out in any way, please write to me via my e-mail address above.
I thank you for taking the time to read this,Michael McNeill
P.S. I am in Virginia/USA