Prompt 5

The two different sources show different views of the body. The NPR program reflects the changing of the “norm.” The guy that they interview has a job in the business world and is successful, despite his tattoos. He large tattoos completely contradict the “normal” appearance of the workplace. This guy explains that times are changing, and one day what was considered weird will be “normal.” He gave examples of guys with long hair becoming a normal occurrence. Many things considered strange in the past became normal, like bellybutton piercing. The one thing that contradicted his beliefs was his action of removing some of his tattoos. I think that is taking a step in a negative direction. If he wants to help move society in a different direction by changing what people view as normal, he needs to stick by his decisions to have massive, non-discrete tattoos. However, National Geographic represents the body in a different way. It shows pictures that represent different groups of people with tattoos and other modifications. The website does not show cultures coming together, but shows different groups and their body modifications. There does not seem to be a change in the “norm.” It still separates people into the “us” v. “them” scenario all over again. It not only separates the conservative view of the body, but separates the many diverse groups labeled as “others.”

I think that I have a mixture of these two arguments. I do think that some modifications will blend into the “normal” culture. However, I do not think that every “strange” modification will fit in. There are too many strong beliefs in this country to keep practices, like flesh hanging, out of the normal everyday occurrences. I do think some piercings or tattoos will start to mesh with the normal culture. This is already seen with earrings, bellybutton rings, and nose rings. People are scared of change and what is not familiar to them. Once people get used to the ideas, they will slowly incorporate them into the “normal culture.