One of the most obvious trends that I have noticed in the body modification world today is the indignance of the people in this community. Before you go crazy and decide that I'm one of the people that "just don't understand this way of life", let me tell you a little about myself, the author.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact [email protected] When N/A I am sixteen years old, and, yes, I am modified. I've had multiple visible piercings, currently I have a small labret stud and a nostril stud, 0 gauge ears, and very visible, very obviously methodical, scars on my left arm and leg. Although not heavily modified by the standards of the BMEzine community, I am considered one of the "subculturals" of my town.
I live in a tiny town in Michigan known for it's extreme association with the Ku Klux Klan (the Grand Dragon lived just around the corner from me until his death a few years ago), so you can just imagine the reaction to visible modifications.
However, this is a choice I have made � the choice to modify affects every aspect of your life. It is something that must be considered before going through with a tattoo, piercing, procedure, or what have you.
Altogether too often, I have heard modified people complain that they are so "misunderstood" and that they wish people could just come to accept them for who they are. While I understand and sympathize with that, most of the people who say it, do so only to others who are modified. I hate to compare this to racial issues and discrimination; however, I would like to use these to illustrate a point.
The world cannot change overnight. In 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was passed in the United States, people weren't joining hands and singing Kumbayah the very next day � in fact, some of the most violent race riots in United States history were directly resultant of this Act. Martin Luther King, Jr., generally considered to be "responsible" for many of the cultural and racial advances of the country, didn't even get to see how he affected the world.
What does this have to do with body modification? My point is simply that you cannot make great changes to society within one lifetime. Complaining to other like-minded individuals does not affect the views and opinions of the "enemy". You may manage to accomplish great things for your beliefs, but chances are, you won't see your own impact on the world in your lifetime.
I absolutely understand how awful it feels to be standing in line at the grocery store, when a young mother pulls her children close to her, as she eyes you warily. I absolutely am not saying that you shouldn't feel bad, nor am I saying that everyone in the body modification community is as I have described. In fact, it's probably a small faction. I also must add to this disclaimer that I am in no way naming names, or attempting to put anyone down.
There are two ways to look at the situation, though: first, from a sixteen-year-old girl's point of view, sometimes I think the negative reaction to my appearance can be beneficial. For example, since I have facial piercings and some scarification, I've found that people are less willing to confront me, or direct road rage and whatnot at me (you get the picture).
The second positive aspect of being modified is the awesome conversation that can be spurred on by the questions of those who want to know more, or are trying to understand.
I was checking out jewelry at a local Pac Sun (awful but incredibly inexpensive body jewelry, by the way), while I waited for a friend who was trying on some clothes. At the time, I had a brand spanking new wrist piercing that was slightly angry, so I rolled up my sleeve to stop the irritation from my sweater. A woman next to me, I would guess her to be in her early forties, asked me wonderingly, "Does that really go through your skin?" Without pushing her limits of "too much weirdness", I calmly and gently explained to her the appeal of body piercing to me. She really wanted to know more; she said she wanted to understand the culture behind it.
I believe I handled the situation well, and I try to keep my unsolicited comments and histories on piercing and such to myself, but when a situation presents itself, I take the bit and run with it.
Yeah, it sucks that you may get ridiculed and discriminated against, but that's the way the world is right now. If the reactions of others are really going to bother you that much, maybe you should consider not getting the mod you are thinking about; don't get modified to prove a point. You can't change the world by having a standoffish, "fuck you" attitude. People will not think better of you for that.
In summary, (though I am at a loss how to summarize all my thoughts on the subject), I would like to relate one more opinion. When you decide to get a particular modification, I would urge you to consider all the consequences and possible complications it may present: not just emotional and physical, but social as well. The world sucks, but you just have to deal with it.