symbolic

   Heard some complaining that some of those deported where only deported because of their tattoos. They had gang symbols identifying them as members of that Tren de Aragua or whatever it is called. I don't know anything about them and whatever customs and traditions they have in their little club but I suspect having those tattoos without being an actual member won't go over well. Try wearing a Hells Angels patch on your motorcycle jacket and see what happens. So I'm saying it looks like a duck and walks alike a duck it is probably a duck. They were in this country illegally and need to go! I'm not going to entertain any notion that they snuck into my country to join the church and become model citizens. Yeah call me judgmental or whatever you like, it just makes good common sense.

  You see that's the thing with all these signs and symbols. They are indicators of what you support. I should just take them at face values and believe it. If you're flying a pride flag you support that lifestyle. Doesn't mean you are actively engaged in that, but you certainly don't have an issue with it either. In fact, you are promoting that. If silence is consent, flying a flag is a proclamation. That applies whether it is tattoos, articles of clothing or hand gestures. Strange how those supporting that stuff complain that gang tattoos don't mean you're in the gang but Elon Musk extending his hand automatically made him a Nazi. By the way AOC has been photographed making that exact same gesture. But that is being defended as "taken out of context" and she was just reaching out to hug someone. Yeah, context matters doesn't it? Yes, but only when you need to explain your actions because someone else is upset. 

  It's an old argument this idea of getting tattoos. I'm thinking it has reached its' peak in popularity in recent years. We have reached that point where people are getting tattoos on their face. The fight to have that as a normal thing continues. I hear the complaints from those that find it difficult to get a job, they say, because of that. Well that may be, but without the employer saying that directly you can only assume. And you shouldn't assume right? I mean I'm terribly wrong, a very bad person for believing a Latino man with certain gang tattoos is a member of a gang. I shouldn't assume that at all. But you can assume I'm being prejudicial. It's all about context isn't it. 

 It really isn't about the tattoos. They are just the identifier. Perhaps the person has changed, perhaps they no longer support that cause or affiliate with that group. I'm not saying that is impossible but it is unlikely when viewed in context. They are in the country illegally, associating with others displaying the same symbols. Yes, looks like they are still active in all of that to me. I suppose if you can wake up one morning, after having been a man for thirty years, and discover you believe you really should be a woman, anything is possible. I'm old enough to remember when a man wearing a dress was proof of mental illness. Tattoos and transgenders! It's all about identity. I even wrote a poem about that some years back.

                                                                          INK

Faded tattoos once new and bright

time and age take their toll, they

begin to fade from sight

When new they made a statement,

confident and bold, now the 

conversation changes, stories go

untold

Wrinkled skin and thinning hair, ink

colors the soul, memories fading,

shuffling feet, confident and bold

Old men, faded tattoos, the things

that have been, remaining still, just,

distant and dim