Today’s entry, by Shana O’Connor of McMain Secondary School, again illustrates ways collective discussion in the SAC class leads to deep revision that involves research and rethinking, not just cleaning up language errors or making smoother transitions.
My First Tatoo
Shana O’Connor
In November, 2006, I chose to get my first tattoo. Though I knew that my family wouldn’t necessarily approve of it, I knew it was something I wanted to do. It was a fleur de lis, signifying the rebuilding of New Orleans along with the new life I would begin to live when I graduate from high school. It being in the center of my back symbolizes how much my city means to me. However, the meaning of the fleur de lis has more depth than what I thought.
After discussing this essay in Mr. Randels’ class and hearing Mr. Kalamu state that the fleur de lis was used to brand slaves and to torture enemies, I had to research it more. This is when I found out that the flower was French and was in fact used to brand Spanish slaves. The first thought to enter my head was, “I’m a slave to put a flower that symbolizes something so horrible on me.”
But after realizing that the tattoo wouldn’t go away and having a long conversation with my mother about it, I came to a conclusion: My fleur de lis has a special meaning to me. Part of that meaning is the fact that it can’t be researched, and no matter how hard anyone tries, it can never be defined as I define it. When I see it, I’m reminded of the fun I had that day and the freedom I felt just from getting ink into my skin. When I see the symbol, I’m reminded of the city that care seemed to forget, but having it on me means I can’t ever over look it or be ashamed of where I come from. You see, New Orleans is the center of my life right now. It’s what molded me. So the Fleur de Lis may have signified slavery, but in my eyes it’s the symbol that has set me free.
Shana, you make an excellent point. Sometimes we have to take back and redefine symbols that may have been used at one time or another as a symbol of oppression or injustice. Nicely stated!