Tattoo Program Gives Young People a Clean Slate

kpix ^ | 01/27/05 | Dashing Dasher

[Dashing Dasher]

Kelly Namowicz has a plan for the rest of her life.

"I want to go the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco," she says. "I want to be a professional chef."

But until now, there were 14 things standing in her way: tattoos that once almost covered her hands and arms, forcing her to wear long sleeves to job interviews to avoid being stigmatized.

"People judge you," Namowicz says. "People don't want to admit it, but it happens."

Now, the tattoos are almost gone, thanks to a city program called Clean Slate. It pays for laser treatments that erase the tattoos, and help wipe away the past. Namowicz says her kids helped her decide to do it.

"I want to be that positive role model for them," she says.

Now in its tenth year, Clean Slate is targeted at helping young people turn their lives around.

"You've got to be 14 to 25, live in San Jose, and you have to have gang-related tattoos in the exposed parts of the body," said project coordinator Juan Avila. "That's hands, neck, wrist, face, arms."

That made Victor Guizar a prime candidate. Just 24 years old, Victor has been incarcerated for a third of his life -- beginning at age 13. He has tattoos on his arms, chest, neck, and head. He even shows us some in his mouth. Most of his tattoos he got behind bars, and almost all are gang related. But he's leaving that life behind because most of his friends are drug addicts, in prison, or dead.

"I told my homies, 'My life is going to be different now,'" he says. "They said, 'We've been waiting for that.'"

The procedure just takes a few minutes. It stings, and leaves a mark like a sunburn that eventually wears off. But people like Victor Guizar say it's a small price to pay for starting over.

[Petruchio]

I'm heavily tattooed and work in the tattoo industry.

Whatever floats your boat. I just can't see it for myself. In my mind it is like telling the world that what God designed was not "Good Enough".

Your Mileage May Vary

[t_skoz]

I understand, but I'm curious how you feel about makeup, hair dye, earrings, cosmetic surgery, etc??

[So Cal Rocket]

Tattoo removal will be bigger business in years to come when Gen X matures and realizes that 25 lizards and a Harley on your body isn't much fun anymore

Or when that cute little dolphin tattoo above your navel turns into Shamu the Killer Whale.

[t_skoz]

13 eh? I've been tattooed probably... I'm not even sure, maybe 20+ times? I've got a 3/4 sleeve on my right arm (finally finished last night, it's made up of probably 9 different tattoos I tied together), a 1/2 sleeve on my right leg, and working on a 3/4 sleeve on my left arm.

[CounterCounterCulture]

That's cute :-)

[samiam1972]

I went through what I call a pre mid-life crises last year. I wound up with a small butterfly on my right shoulder. My son made me a butterfly wind chime for mother's day so I used it for inspiration. I'm going to have an even smaller ladybug on the top of my right foot for my daughter. She's always been my little ladybug! Then I'll quit. Unless we have more kids. :-) I love them! (kids and tats)

[samiam1972]

Freeper with tattoo! See #126! You can add me to that future ping list! :-)

[clarissaexplainsitall]

Why on earth would an 18 year old boy want "Love, honor and obey" tattoed onto his arm anyway?

[Petruchio]

I understand, but I'm curious how you feel about makeup, hair dye, earrings, cosmetic surgery, etc??

Makeup: No. It goes against "Truth in Advertising". I don't want to wake up next to someone and not recognize who it is.

Hair dye: My hair is Salt + Pepper now and I see no need to change it. The more I think about it, there are only 2 reasons for hair dye: 1-Vanity (to hide the gray) In that case, why bother? You are not going to fool any one else, why try and fool yourself? Or 2-Shock Value. If someone is thinking of coloring their hair florescent green or pink . . . (self-censored comment)

Ear Rings (and other jewelery): Clip on ear rings are fine, also pins and broaches attached to clothing is fine. I view any type of piercing as mutilation. When my Niece got her ears pierced I told her she had new holes in her head. . .

Cosmetic Surgery: Depends. If to try and correct the scars from burns or major surgery, Cool! If you think you need bigger Boobs, it only proves you are a boob. I will not even try to comment on someone thinking they need a bigger butt . . . In my own case the 14" scar on my chest from open heart surgery is gonna stay right where it is. I see no need to try and change it.

Bottom line, If it is cool for you fine, your call. It is just not for me.

[qam1]

Xer Ping

Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.

Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.  

[DBrow]

Please don't put words in my mouth. I said nothing of the sort; you brought up death squads and wish to attribute the sentiment to me? And I have expressed no opinions about prison food.

You are right, though, that the tattoo removal does make it more difficult for one criminal to recognize another, whether for gang rivalry or desire for collusion.

My objection to the program is the cost "normal" people have to bear for the same service- see the link in my earlier post- some people are paying 5 to 10 thousand dollars for what these gang kids get for free. That's the cost of a good used car, and is an improper use of tax money.

[Fintan]

Tattoo removal will be bigger business in years to come when Gen X matures and realizes that 25 lizards and a Harley on your body isn't much fun anymore.

 

Yep.

 

[Citizen James]

When I was in college I had an American roommate, and a roommate from Japan. The American guy showed us the tattoo on his ankle, which he said meant "best friend" in Japanese writing. His best friend had the same tattoo. My Japanese roommate looked at the tattoo and started laughing hysterically. The tattoo meant "lovers forever." My American roommate nearly fainted.

BTTT


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[Slings and Arrows]

That and a body-putty skin repair bizness for all the piercings.

[Duke Nukum]

I fully support tattoos, lets me know which people are crazy enough to compromise their first defense against diseases. Body piercings too.

[Clemenza]

Tattoos are for whores and sailors. Not that there's anything wrong with whores... ;-)

[conservative cat]

The key is to ponder what you can live with for the rest of your life. I have two very tasteful tatoos, both of which were obtained after at least a year of thinking about it. Also, get them in places that are not obvious and can be easily concealed at appropriate times.

I waited until I was 28, had 2 kids, and was getting a divorce to get mine. No-one can see it but whom I want to show it to. It incorporates my kids' names. I have already told my daughter if she ever wants one, she has to wait until she's old enough to know what she wants forever.

[anonymous_user]

The closest I've got to a tatoo is a hook-shaped scar on my left arm

My mom always said about tattoos, "If you were born with that, your parents would have gladly paid thousands of dollars to have that mark removed."

[SiliconValleyGuy]

Thanks for the ping. I was in the Navy in the 70's. Also have a couple of biker friends. But I never saw anybody as pictured as this guy. Kittens? Monkeys? Teddy Bears? Pooh? What's the deal? Is it a "Laugh and I'll bust your face" thing? {g}

[JudyinCanada]

I agree...when that job is landed, $100 bucks a pay until the debt is erased. They should be more than happy to have an interest-free loan for a fresh start. People do not appreciate things they don't have to pay for.