"Marked Up In The Game"

"Allen Iverson was the pioneer of the "Tatted Up" persona!"

In the mid to late nineties Allen Iverson became probably the first NBA player to wear tattoo's all over his upper body. Before him guys would have maybe one or two tattoo's on their arms etc. It was "The Answer" that took tattoo game and put it on it's ear. I know that he was the first guy that I can remember seeing rock a tatt on his neck. Then the game exploded.

Now all over professional sports and in the entertainment industry everybody is tatted up from their arms, backs, necks, hands and now people are even getting them on their faces. In my opinion, they look like complete idiots but fortunately for them they have very high paying jobs. I don't have a problem with them doing what they want do with their bodies because they aren't unemployed bruh.

My problem is with the kid or young adult that thinks LeBron, Lil Wayne or some famous cat looks cool and goes and gets the same type of tattoo but doesn't have a career or a job yet. See Delante West looks homeless but makes more money than most of the us in corporate America will ever make. Unfortunately, there are people that will see him and will think that it looks cool, mimic him and get stuck making minimum wage or close to it for the rest of their lives because of the tatts. I see more and more college athletes marked up bad and very few of them will make it to the league bruh. What sense does it make to have a college degree and be sleeved up or have joints all over your neck? That's just as bad as the guy that gets a masters degree in prison! You can't do anything with it homeboy!

Listen up young people, an employer has the right to hire or fire you at will. Most states are what they call "At Will" states which means an employer can pretty much make employment decisions without reason. Therefore, if you walk into an interview with your girlfriend, boyfriend or daughter's name on your neck your application will most definitely get thrown in the garbage when you walk out. I know because I've been a hiring manager and I didn't  hear a word of the applicants interview when they walked in looking like Tupac. I saw the marks on their neck and said to myself that this person doesn't have good decision making skills.  See Ya! Now don't get it twisted, if they're looking for a mouth breather job then you're in but those joints pay very little bread.

 I see more and more grown folks getting their necks and hands hit and then can't figure out why they can't get a job or promoted on the existing one. Don't get me wrong, I know plenty of folks that are marked up that have great jobs and no one knows that they even have tattoo's.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with having one or several but when it's time to go to work your employer doesn't need to see them. Let's say this, if you're cool with working at the bottom of the pile on the job then go on and get the joint on your neck or face. While you're at it go ahead and pull a Dennis Rodman and pierce up your face too. That's a good look if you are an executive in the entertainment industry, a pro ball player or you're your own boss. If you aren't either of those you may want to think before getting a sleeve for Christmas bruh.

It's not always the kids fault because I've seen parents take their children to get tattoo's for their birthdays or graduations etc. and put them in places that will limit their opportunities in life. That's pretty much a permanent mark that people walk into because at a young age they thought that it looked cool. When I was nine, I thought bell bottom pants and stacked shoes looked cool too. I didn't go and buy a permanent pair of them to wear for the rest of my life, pimpin'! Ninety percent of reality is perception bruh!

Think about how stupid people are going to look when they are 50, 60 years old with tattoo's all over their bodies especially on their necks, hands and face. Even the ball players and entertainers will look stupid marked up at 60.  Just because it's fashionable doesn't mean it's a good look bruh! Have you seen Allen Iverson lately? He looks like a complete idiot. This dun looks like an old man dressed up like a child!

 Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
Follow me on Twitter:@jaygravesreport