Bobbi Cummings – Instructional Support Teacher

when and where did you get this tattoo?

March of this year at Good Girl Tattoo and Piercing in Oshkosh

Tell me about your planning process. What were your inspirations?

 I read a book called Untamed by Glennen Doyle and the start of the book opened with a metaphor of a cheetah in a zoo who got satisfaction from just chasing this bunny and getting a piece of crappy steak at the end. She used that to illustrate that we live in these imaginary cases, so that why i decided to get a cheetah on my arm.

How much did it cost?

Somewhere around $200

Why do you feel connected to the tattoo and the meaning behind it

 For me its a reminder that as a woman we’re taught to follow a certain set of expectations to be considered a good woman, and to be considered successful. Its a reminder to myself on my body that freedom can look differently and I don’t have to follow what society lays out for me as successful.

Do you ever experience any bias by being a teacher with tattoos? 

I personally have not experienced any bias. I feel like there’s a lot less stigma around tattoos these days and piercing definitely there’s a lot of us that have tattoos here. 

Did your parents judge you?

Yes. my mom, she especially has a lot of bias around tattoos and piercing. When I got it, it felt like a final claiming of my own body. I love my mom and she loves me but it’s my body and my choice to do what I want with it.

Do you believe there’s a stigma around people with tattoos? 

 I mean, maybe, If you have a lot of them and if you change your appearance in other significant ways like a dramatic piercing or dyed hair, but I do feel like that’s becoming more mainstream. it’s not as hardcore to have piercings or tattoos as it used to be.

 What do you think people associate with tattoos nowadays?

 I think a lot of people associate tattoos with stories. When people put something on their bodies it usually has meaning behind it, so it’s like wearable art and wearable conversation starters.