After the horrific incidents of the Holocaust in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the world is certainly a new place. There is far more sensitivity towards religion, ethnicity and creed, and I believe it was after this tragedy (along with perhaps the years of slavery) that in middle schools across the country we hear the mantra "we learn history so that we do not repeat it".
However, something which I have always wondered is the concept of tattoos. While artists argue that these are freedom of personal expression, and while my best friend has 15 various tattoos spread across his body, does nobody remember the significance of Jewish Holocaust tattoos? As far as I know, these were NOT self expression and certainly not insignias which these people wanted engraved on their bodies. However, decades later, we parade ourselves with symbols across our bodies. Again, I am not completely against tattoos, however, my personal link is always the Holocaust, and I wish to honor the millions of victims by not instilling something on myself which reminds them of nightmares from the past.
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