We have progressed so much over the years but we are still not where we should be.  As a person, a female in particular, I am judged by the art I wear on my body.  These judgments are made despite the fact that I have a degree in Respiratory Therapy and am a full-time practitioner at a local hospital, have an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Leadership, a Masters in Healthcare Administration, and am about to finish a Masters in Business Administration.  No matter the amount of degrees or accomplishments I obtain, I am still looked upon as less. Many people assume that those of us with tattoos are gang members and drug addicts when that could not be further from the truth.  In fact, it is an expression of art.  Many folks decide to dye their hair, color their nails, or get plastic surgery to obtain the aesthetic they are trying to achieve.  Why is this art of tattooing any different?  Rather than sit in the sun to get a tan, I'd rather add beautiful and significant imagery to my body.  Whatever our reasons are to obtain the look that we perceive as beautiful, they should be respected.  We are only here once, and we need to look out for one another.  Putting someone down and treating them as less than a human being is not the way.  We have to respect everyone for the character they demonstrate, not just what they appear to be.  We need to end discrimination on all fronts.  Why put someone's file on the bottom because they have tattoos when they could be the person to cure cancer, end hunger, or figure out world peace?  You never know what we are capable of until you let us in.