I am always confused and irritated at the idea that, because I am a self-identified liberal, it means I am not allowed to negatively critique anything. Apparently, only conservatives can make judgments, have a moral sense, etc. etc. That somehow because I am generally tolerant, it naturally follows that I must needs be tolerant of attitudes and behaviors that actively harm me.
Look, a tattoo is a personal statement. I say that as the owner of several- they each commemorate some part of my identity. I’ve chosen to put them on myself, and also chosen to place them where, since I aspire to a conventional career, I can cover them up at need. After my work product and reputation has spoken for itself, I can then allow my non-standard self to show through.
Here’s the thing- both the suit and tie, clean cut attorney and the inked D&D geek are authentically me.
This person chose to get a tattoo that by all norms is out of the ordinary, and ether offensive or threatening. As a potential employer, I am in one of four spots.
- the business IS me, and so everyone that I employ must adhere to my general sense of taste and values in order to reduce discord in the work space.
- I have a target market that has a stated preference as to the look they expect from those that provide services on my behalf, and I enforce a dress code that meets that expectation.
- In either of these cases, I don’t have to worry about visual representation of me, my product, or my employees, but I do have a stack of apps to go through for each position, and all things being equal, I can find a candidate without this social baggage. So why would I?
- I am looking to do a good deed, and this seems like a person who made bad choices and wants to clean up his act. I might do it, and understand I am taking a risk by doing so. I should be lauded for it, but a failure to provide charity isn’t really something we condemn.
And before someone jumps in with ‘ah, but what if your customers want to be served by white people only’ let’s recall I said a tattoo is a choice. Both in getting it and continuing to keep it. So let’s not muddy that waters with protected class discrimination- not everything is protected, nor should it be. Personal choices have consequences, and that’s appropriate.