shira, she/her, 18. ig: shromes. i pulled at every thread that twined to create my heart in order to create more room for sorrow.

virgintrash:

Sorry, Harry Styles. You don’t get to have a Hebrew tattoo because you’re “interested in Judaism.” Here’s why.

1. It’s a sin in the Jewish religion to get tattoos. Of course many Jews do, but it’s quite disrespectful to break a religion that you claim to respect?

2. You don’t get to use Hebrew like that. You can learn Hebrew. You can speak Hebrew. But you don’t get to tattoo it on your body. For thousands of years, my people could not practice their traditions and speak Hebrew. They were scapegoated and beaten and killed. It still happens today. It’s unsafe in many areas to wear a Star of David necklace or traditional Jewish clothing. You don’t have the right to use my culture as a fashion statement. I know it’s “just a language,” but Hebrew goes hand-in-hand with Judaism, making it a part of the Jewish religion and culture.

3. The tattoo is of his sister’s name, which is quite sweet. It would be fine of me to get a Hebrew tattoo because I’m Jewish, and frankly, I’m not that religious. However, it would not be fine if me to get a tattoo in Arabic. I don’t know what it’s like to have my entire people be called terrorists or be subject to byproducts of today’s Islamophobic society.

So there. Learn my language. Admire my culture. But if you’re so “dedicated” to learning about my religion, advocate for Israel and use your public image to help to stop antisemitism. Don’t just get a tattoo.