Diamonds aren’t forever, tattoos are

In my previous links post, I mentioned Modblog, one of the blogs on my daily checklist. Modblog, for those of you who didn’t bother clicking on the link and exploring it for yourself (shame on you!) is the brainchild of Shannon Larratt (read his personal blog at www.zentastic.com)

Shannon also runs the largest body modification zine on the internet (bmezine.com). I have read this zine since I was 14 years old and my fascination with tattoos began in earnest. The user submitted galleries (bmeink.com) of images and reader experiences became a feeding ground for my imagination in planning my future modifications, and perusing the site has had a pronounced influence not only on my views of body modification but on my general outlook on life.

While BMEzine.com covers the modifications that mainstream america has grown comfortable with, ie lip rings, navel rings, small inobtrusive tattoos, and even tongue studs, the zine also delves into more radical modifications- including but not limited to scarification, branding, self amputation, and extreme genital play.

When I first began exploring this site, these radical modifications scared me- they were shocking and I didn’t understand the reason or need for them. However, as I continued reading about people’s experiences and their feelings and reasons for having, wanting, or needing these modifications I came to an understanding that it didn’t matter that I didn’t understand why they had, wanted, or felt the need to have these modifications, it simply mattered that I understood that they had a RIGHT to have, want or need them.

It surprises me today as a twenty three year old the number of people I meet who have no tolerance for things they fail to understand. Tolerance for difference in people, in beliefs, in morals, and in all other things is something that I believe all people should strive to have. Click through this site, maybe it will help you along, even if you don’t understand why, or how. Check out Shannon’s latest post on leg spines for a taste of the culture.