#comm215

  There are many components that go into my writing process; however, revision doesn't play as big of a role as it should. Through the duration of this class I have had to adapt and revise more often and thoroughly. Revision plays a large role in the portfolio assignment and, unsurprisingly, it has helped to improve my writing. Usually, I don't revise papers except for a few minuscule errors I'll find while rereading it, but this class has demanded the opposite. I am working to improve my writing process and trying to think preemptively and revise numerous portions of my papers.

The interviewing process, while awkward to conduct, was well worth it when it came to writing the article. They helped me find a tone for the article and it was nice being able to harness their opinions so I could omit my own. I also got an interview from an FPU student whose team lost, so it was nice to get her perspective and gave my article a more rounded perspective. These interviews basically were my inspiration for choosing my angle for my readers, because the people I interviewed are similar to who I wanted to direct my article towards. I feel like my quotes are help build emphasis towards my focus.

                                       Tattoos vs. Piercings

Many people think that tattoos are for hardcore punk hooligans, which they are, but they’re not limited to them. Anyone can get a tattoo and no one should be judged for it.

Tattooing is a type of body modification that has a distinct stigma surrounding it. Piercings, which are also considered a type of body modification, are more embrace. Both of these forms have similar traits and are visibly identifiable. However, stereotypically, many people see piercings as more acceptable and fashionable and look down on tattoos as low class. Tattoos should get more credit and praise than piercings because, although they have recently come under fire, are an art form.

Currently, religion is involved and people are sighting scripture as a reason to demean other people with tattoos. Specifically, Leviticus 9:28, which condemns “tattooed marks” on the body. We won’t even get into why that argument is not only out of context, but also outdated; let’s just say it’s in the old testament for a reason. For all we know, God may see piercings as a sin, so any Christian with a piercing should consider repentance.

No one should have to authority to dictate what another person does with their body. If a person is considering getting a tattoo, one argument against it is that they’ll look bad when your older and it won’t be appropriate. But go ahead and pierce your nose, you’ll definitely still be rocking it at 80.

It’s hypocritical to think that one form of body modification is above another. Even some people with piercings look down on those with tattoos; I’ve seen it happen first-hand. A recent study in Time magazine looks at how people with tattoo’s feel pressure from others, especially when it comes to their reason behind it.

Sure, tattoos cost more, have more of a risk and pain factor and are permanent, but they are also much more significant. A tattoo tells a story and has meaning portrayed through color, design and technique. Not all wearers of tattoos embody the significance, but whoever designed and tattooed it has it permanently displayed on a living and breathing canvass.

Piercings are just holes that hold the work of others in the form of jewelry. It would seem that their only importance is for the sake of vanity. Tattoos have a uniqueness to them that can never be definitely replicated, while walking down the street people’s piercing placement will be  just like everyone else’s. A few in ear, on in the nose, maybe their belly button, it’s all real original.

Parents even get their baby’s ears pierced without a second thought, but a tattoo would be outrageous and is against the law in many states if the participant is under 18. This is because they acknowledge that tattoos shouldn’t be administered to children, but still think sticking holes in their ears is perfectly acceptable.

Tattoos are a type of art that people have dedicated their lives to. There are so many aspects and traditions regarding and surrounding it. It takes years to become proficient enough to do a good tattoo, while anyone who works at Claire’s is a professional in piercings. Tattooing is a platform for expression and skill and supersedes vanity yet is seen as second-class.

When it comes to getting a job, tattoos can even be your enemy. Many people look down on people with tattoos, seeing them as uneducated and unprofessional. However, what’s on your skin shouldn’t define what’s in your head. Some companies even go so far as demanding that employees cover them with clothing or make-up, while people with ear, nose or other face  piercings can leave them in. A teacher in the UK was even recently fired for her tattoos, and her story has lead to much controversy. That should not be deemed fair but is because people see tattoos as lesser. For example, if you were at the doctors you might opt out of having the doctor with sleeves and face tattoos or at least be apprehensive if they were to be treating you. Why? Because it brings their judgment of the social norm into question.

If, when meeting someone for the first time, they have their ears or nose pierced, you might not think twice about it. However, if they have a simple visible tattoo, you might question their choices and think they are impulsive, especially if it is of something you don’t like.

Tattoos shouldn’t be taboo. This stigma should be recognized and the stereotype should be changed or a whole community of people will continue to be ostracized.

Digital Media in Pakistan: 10 Essential Follows

Digital media in Pakistan has witnessed a vibrant growth in the past few years. Many online social media platforms have emerged, offering a various sources of news and updates ranging from politics to economics.

Here are our top 10 picks sources to follow:

Blog Aggregators:

1.     Teak Break

Blog aggregator that syndicates Pakistani blogs and categorizes them appropriately. The website makes it easier for blog readers by bringing all the popular blogs of Pakistan on one platform. Started out with 5 blogs, now Tea Break has a network of over 1500 registered bloggers with 400 blogs still waiting to be registered. Over 100 blog posts get aggregated to Tea Break on a daily basis.

Visit Tea Break at http://teabreak.pk

2.     Pakistan Positive

 Another Pakistan blog aggregator is Pakistan Positive, which aimed to share “simple Pakistani news and stories, blogged without religious, political or military tones”.

Visit Pakistan Positive at http://positivepakistan.org

Individual Blogs:

3.     Huma Yusuf (humayusuf)

Huma Yusuf is an award-winning columnist and investigative journalist. She writes a weekly column in the leading Pakistani English-language daily, Dawn, on topics related to security, terrorism, foreign relations, and human rights. Her column has twice won the Best Column Award from the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (2008 and 2010). She is currently the Pakistan Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Visit her blog at http://www.humayusuf.com

4.     Faisal Kapadia (faisalkapadia)

Writer, Explorer, Entrepreneur, Social activist & Cultural critic. Faisal believes in working against the tides of corruption, negativity & exploitation that threaten to engulf his country Pakistan. He has also authored more than a hundred (print and online articles) which are also featured on this blog in the published articles section.

Visit his blog at http://www.faisalkapadia.com

5.     Mohammed Hanif (mohammedhanif)

Mohammed Hanif is a Pakistani writer and journalist. He has worked for The Washington Post, India Today and BBC. His first novel A case of Exploding Mangoes (2008) won the 2009 Commonwealth Book Prize and was shortlisted for the 2008 Guadian First Book Award. He has also written for the stage and screen.

6.     Huma Imtiaz (HumaImtiaz)

Huma Imtiaz works as a journalist. Originally from Pakistan, she is currently based in Washington, DC as a correspondent for Express News and Express Tribune. Prior to this, she has worked as a correspondent for Geo News, and as a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and Dawn amongst other publications.

Visit her blog at http://humaimtiaz.com

Twitter:

7.     Husain Haqqani (husainhaqqani)

Husain Haqqani is the former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States. Previously, he has held numerous high-ranking positions in and out of government, and has been a prominent journalist, scholar and educator. Husain Haqqani was forced to resign as ambassador late in 2011 after a Pakistani-American businessman claimed he had passed on a memo on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari pleading for US help to oust its army chiefs. At the center of the memo scandal, ambassador Hussain Haqqani has been sending constant updates on his Twitter account since after arriving in Islamabad.

8.     Marvi  Memon (marvi_memon)

Marvi Memon is a former member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and the most followed Twitter politician in the local sphere with 40,936 followers. She started her career as a banker at Citibank Pakistan then launched her own business and became the youngest CEO of a multinational firm. She served as Member of Parliament from March 2008 to June 2011. Her strength is her close contact with grassroots, youth and discriminated populations of society in all provinces and territories of Pakistans.

Visit her website at http://marvimemon.com/

9.     Ali Zafar (AliZafarforu)

Ali Zafar is a Pakistani musician, composer, song writer, singer, actor, painter and model, popular for his music and now movies. He is an active user of different online social networking platforms with 895,000 likes on his Facebook page and 102,162 followers on Twitter.

10.  Wasim Akram (wasimakramlive)