Posted on Oct 20, 2017
Tattoos for a Cause
Art makes a statement, and that includes body art. Tattoos have always been a way for people to express their political and social ideologies or to fight for a cause. Our tattoo catalog is no excepti...
Art makes a statement, and that includes body art. Tattoos have always been a way for people to express their political and social ideologies or to fight for a cause. Our tattoo catalog is no exception. A couple of our tattoos communicate a specific message, advocating for a particular cause. Check out these tattoos to see if your skin is the perfect canvas to spark change:
Project Semicolon
Project Semicolon, 0.5 x 1.5 inches, $19 ($1 goes to Project Semicolon)
The semicolon has become a symbol of recognizing and overcoming depression, of saying yes to life instead of no. Our semicolon tattoo will communicate to others that you support suicide prevention efforts not only figuratively, but economically: $1 of every tattoo we sell goes directly to Project Semicolon, a nonprofit that uses a public health model to provide education and support for people dealing with mental illness and those who want to help them.
States the organization, “Our work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. Through raising public awareness, educating communities, and equipping every person with the right tools, we know we can save lives.”
On Project Semicolon’s website, you will find information about different mental illnesses, online educational courses, a free health assessment, links to finding treatment, and a community of support for people struggling with mental health and those that want to help them.
Project Semicolon believes that your life is not over, employing the semicolon as the perfect symbol of its mission, explaining, “A semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life.”
2) STAND Beautiful
STAND, 1.5 x 0.5 inches, $19, $1 of every sale goes to CURE International
Chloe Howard was born with a severe clubfoot and only three toenails. She has undergone 5 surgeries to treat the problem and always believed that, despite her physical struggle, she was beautiful. That belief was compromised when a group of fellow high school girls assaulted her in 2014. Chloe’s insecurities came flooding to the surface, and she questioned her self worth. But after some deep reflection, Chloe’s thinking shifted. “This shift in my thinking allowed me to forgive the girls who assaulted me and has given me a vision of helping others who are travelling the same road.” Chloe launched the Stand Beautiful initiative, dedicated to the empowerment of people of all ages to “embrace their uniqueness and boldly face their beautiful selves.”
Since starting Stand Beautiful, Chloe has given a TED talk and partnered with CURE International for a tour in the summer of 2017. CURE International is a Christian non-profit operating in 29 countries that treats children with conditions such as clubfoot, bowed legs, cleft lips, untreated burns, and hydrocephalus. Founded in 1996, CURE doctors have performed over 175,000 surgeries, delivering life-saving procedures to thousands of children, while also spreading the message of Christianity.
One additional way that Chloe is reminding people they are beautiful just as they are? By partnering with us!
After her assault, Chloe started writing the word “beautiful” over her foot scar again and again. By giving herself makeshift tattoos, Chloe actively worked to remind herself she was worthy of love and acceptance by herself and others.
We’ve turned Chloe’s amateur drawing into a full-fledged semi-permanent tattoo in our collection. Now you, too, can stand on a beautiful foundation. And since $1 of every “beautiful” tattoo goes to CURE International, you’ll be helping kids like Chloe. And that’s beautiful.