Gurtner, G. (1996, April). "Angel, the body piercer: Angel Binnie, piercing, and tattoos." New Orleans Magazine, 30 (7), 114.

OVERVIEW

Piercing has come a long way. Consider these facts from Angel’s shop in New Orleans:

the shop, Rings of Desire, gave 4,000 piercings in 1995 (a 62% increase from 1994). At the shop opening, ‘people came from 44 states and 20 different countries.’

Angel started piercing herself and friends when she was twelve, due to an "innate desire to pierce." She now has forty piercings all over her body. It’s part of her personal statement, as are her tattoos. She cites numerous reasons for piercing: some find it attractive; others deem it erotic; some use it to commemorate events; others use it as rites of passage.

Angel describes herself as " ‘very conservative in many ways.’ " She’s not into the street scene; in fact, she enjoys crocheting. Of her tattooed and pierced body she says:

‘All of my wildness is right here on the outside in my piercing and tattoos. Inside, I’m a very normal, very conservative person. I’m calm inside, at peace. Sure, I get a thrill out of the piercing and the tattoos, but it’s all just surface. And I’d hate to think that’s all anybody sees of me, all they think of me. There are a lot of people running around with no piercing, no tattoos on the outside, but inside they’re raging, ready to explode. Which do you think society would prefer?’

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What do you think of Angel’s statement? What is she really trying to communicate? Do you think that she is normal and conservative?
2. What are some reasons you have heard for someone getting pierced?
3. What sort of statement is Angel making by comparing her ‘calm’ insides and ‘wildness’ on the outside with someone whose outside is note pierced, but whose insides are ‘raging’?

IMPLICATIONS

1. The spiritual implications of Angel’s statement run deep, really deep. Youth leaders need to listen beyond her words and see beyond her art to learn what is really going on with "her"—with many youth today. It is important to understand why young people dress and decorate themselves as they do.
2. Youth workers should teach and practice a theology that consistently offers peace—within and without. It is vital to live a theology that affects the world and culture these kids live in.
3. The rapid increase in numbers and mainstream acceptance of piercing means suggests that this is an important topic with youth today. It deserves attention.

Carol E. Robertson cCYS