Yeah, should have probably thought things through first.
As someone who has tattoos, I can understand that sometimes people will treat you or look at you differently. I can also understand that if you get a massive face tattoo you might have a tad of trouble getting a job. And that’s exactly the situation with Mark Cropp.
The 19-year-old from New Zealand has just finished his two-year sentence for armed robbery, and of course, needs a job now that he’s a free man. There’s only one problem: the huge tattoo reading ‘DEVAST8’ that covers his face.
Cropp, who has another tattoo above his eye and a tattoo on his neck, said that the tattoo wasn’t supposed to be that big. He claims he and his brother were drunk when the tattoo was inked.
“I went into jail with four tattoos and I came out with a full body suit,” Cropp told the Daily Mail.
“A week before I got out I taped a picture of my face to the inside of an envelope so my partner could see it — she was devastated, but now she likes it and can’t see me without it,” Cropp said.
Photo credit: Pixabay, Facebook via Daily Mail, NZ Herald via Daily Mail
It’s tough for anyone to get a job, but this “bright” dude has made it tougher on himself so of course, he’s struggled to land a job — so much so that he took it to Facebook to try and reel in a job to help provide for his daughter and family.
On Facebook, he wrote:
“Hey im keen as to work but have one thing that is stoping me and thats my tattoo on my face i dont have a cv as of yet but have worked at nz brick distrabuters b4 also a scrap metal yard … im 19 years of age and have my lerners license.”
“Keen as on job or work place that will take me on. I have a cpit qualification in painting and decorateing, Also chainsaw an fencing nzqa throw aggrabusiness. Any questions please ask me.”
When he tried looking for work, Cropp said he’s been turned down.
“One employment place said to me: ‘I wouldn’t employ you with that on you face, I wouldn’t even take a second look at you.’ I’ve had other people that just shrugged and laughed at me,” he told the Herald.
“I was over people judging for my facial tattoo … that’s why I made the decision to put that photo on Facebook, to turn around and say ‘I am just a normal human being, you do not have to judge me because of the way I look.’”
Photo credit: Pixabay, Facebook via Daily Mail, NZ Herald via Daily Mail
He added that the “DEVAST8” tattoo is not gang-related.
As the Herald later reported he got a number of job offers after his story went viral online. Douglas George Hebert, who owns scaffolding company PR Contracting, offered him a $22-an-hour job.
“We’ve all made bad choices, doesn’t mean we are bad people,” said Herbert. “I’m a big brown man covered in tattoos myself, and I have been on the receiving end of judgment from people who don’t even know me.”
Photo credit: Pixabay, Facebook via Daily Mail, NZ Herald via Daily Mail
From Opposing Views:
Cropp was jailed at age 17 for aggravated robbery, the New York Post reported. He pleaded guilty to a range of criminal charges, including aggravated robbery, escaping custody and assault with a weapon.
Cropp said he committed the crimes to support himself and his pregnant girlfriend after his parents’ kicked the couple out of their home.
Cropp now hopes to make some changes in his life.
“I have [learned] from my mistake,” he said. “I still don’t think people should be judged by the tattoos on their face, but I know it will keep happening unless I do something about it.”
