and that reminds me how, when I’m at work, I always try to wear tank tops, dresses, or short sleeved shirts so I can be comfortable because it gets really hot under the lights, and so therefore my tattoos are always out, since most of them are on my arms.

I have been working there 3 years - I can count the number of times a white person has complimented my tattoos on both hands, compared to the compliments I get daily from POC. Seriously - all my tattoos are in color, and they’re pretty clearly seen. I can have a young, inked up white couple I’m helping or ringing in very close proximity to me, and they won’t ever say a word. I’ve even had older POC with no body mods say they like my tats!

And I know it’s a subtle race thing, too, because of my few white coworkers, only one, my friend Carlee, has a tattoo that is visible - her moms name with some ‘Hawaiian’ looking flowers… all day long white folks will gush over it - the one - and then literally see me and be silent.

These are the microaggressions we are always talking about, guys.