Any one notice the lack of tattoos in Woodstock crowd photos?

[Democat13]

236. A Different Time

Back then, most people would not have gotten tattoos, mainly because it was not considered acceptable, even by those who were protesting the Establishment in other ways. Honestly, I also think that no one felt the need to express opinions or to show a sense of belonging by such drastic measures. There was more of a sense of inner belonging, if you will, to a cause or to a philosophy of life. It might be hard for the younger people today, who seem to think that tattoos are a necessary part of life, to understand that getting a tattoo "just wasn't done" in those days. Very few men had tattoos -- and no woman would dare to even think about having one.

I was 13 years old at the time of Woodstock, and I remember that, even those of us who had the message of Woodstock -- peace and love -- written in our hearts would never in a million years have considered having that message placed into our skin. Since then, I have known and loved many people who have tattoos, and I understand that each one of those people felt a certain "need" to have tattoos; however, being from a different era, the proliferation of tattoos in our world today troubles me at some level.

As someone who is a political liberal, I often wonder why I sometimes react to the idea of tattoos in a negative way. Yet, when thinking about it, I must admit that I am a product of the era in which I grew up. Also, I must mention that, somewhat ironically, most of the people with tattoos whom I encounter seem to be "wearing" messages or symbols that are deeply inspired by right-wing thinking.

Have I ever thought about getting a tattoo? Sure. Yet, except for the five little dots on my chest that were placed there prior to my getting radiation treatments for breast cancer, I have not yet made the giant leap. Do I have messages that I want known by others? I certainly do! For now, though, I feel much more comfortable displaying those messages on a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or bumper sticker. At the age of 63, maybe I'm just too old to change, but as a woman who has seen the remarkable progress made during the past 50 years now being destroyed daily, maybe it's time to reconsider. Whether or not I ever get it permanently etched into my skin or not, the message of Woodstock -- peace and love -- will always be emblazoned in my heart.

One more thought on Woodstock: It occurred to me (and probably to many others) that the thousands and thousands of people who gathered at Yasgur's Farm 50 years ago were not carrying guns, nor were they in fear of anyone who might be. I think that speaks volumes about the real difference between that long ago time and now. Would that we could all go back there again!!!