Hate Mail I Got about the Aloha Monkey I did

The following is an email I got today over the "Sailor Jerry Collins - Aloha Monkey" tattoo I have up on my own site and on http://www.vintagetattooflash.com/ (drop plug.....hehehe) and sheesh I don't think the guy went off that much but is the tattoo design that insulting to Hawaiian people ? Here is the email so drop me any comments, I will post this in my blog on myspace too so people can drop some words to me there. I did write this person and I was very nice about the email and explained my client picked the piece but hey WTF ? it is a classic fucking tattoo design....................................... anyway what's your thoughts ?????? " From : [email removed] Subject : Hawaiian? Your tattoo Aloha Monkey is very tasteless! I am Hawaiian and you do not know How much this hurts me. Put it this way, its way worse then the N word for blacks!!!!!! You will regret this design...... in one form or another! You will never be in my prayers! From : [email removed] " _______________________________ D.W.I. (aka DEAL WITH IT) , Drake http://myspace.com/darksoul70 http://tattoosbydrake.com [email removed]

I got a reply from the person that emailed me and he explained his feelings on this and I understand and respect his thoughts so I will say it was confusing to have someone show that much passion towards the piece but I guess he took it as a major kick to his people which I personally never meant for it to be, I love Sailor Jerry stuff. with that said I hope this issue is done but if not I myself will deal. Peace, Drake

Well damn, just because a tattoo is 'a classic' doesn't mean it's not going to offend anyone...a swastika is a kind of 'classic' too! (not putting the monkey & the swastika in the same intensity category neccesarily) Hell, the old sailor himself was offended by peace signs and pot leafs so what are ya gonna tattoo if you start worrying about possibly offending anyone at all? There are people who are offended by any tattoo period! Nice to see you were a bit concerned however, shows you have a respectful nature. Seems Sailor Jerry's race attitudes were a bit politically incorrect at times, but so were my grand mother's ...they were all products of their times and times change...I'd be more offended by the shakiness of the execution, but I'm not a pro so my vote doesn't count...

In accordance with the previous response, it is true...someone will be offended no matter what. As for them being mad at you, you are just the one who put it on the person. If i were pissed about something, i would be pissed at the person wanting it, not the person they asked to do it. It's like saying you shouldn't do cross tattoos because not everyone is of the christian faith. Bullshit if you ask me. It's about what the people themselves want, not about what you like or don't like as an artist. Don't shoot the messanger, ya know what i mean?

well i havent done any ofensive tattoos that i know of, but here lately it seems (at least to me and this does not pertain to anyone here) that i have offended some people,with my opions or something i have said or done. and the problem is these people dont even know me hell a few have never met me.but oh well on with life and the way it is i guess i could always say yeah well like your the first one ive offended (ha! ha! ha!) best of luck over this