As A Samoan Woman, I Am Begging Non-Polynesians To Stop Getting Polynesian Tattoos
I’m Morgan, and I’m a 30-year-old Samoan woman. Fun fact: the English word “tattoo” actually comes from the Samoan word “tatau!” It’s a tradition passed down for thousands of years surviving time, distance, and colonization. Each symbol and even its location holds meaning. Additionally, receiving the tattoo generally means you accept and will adhere to cultural customs. But I’m unfortunately not fluent in Samoan (though I’m trying to learn!). And possibly due to my upbringing in the US, I have differing opinions on certain traditions....