Trilogy, a Memphis tattoo and piercing shop, stated they would not satisfy requests for supremacist art in a Facebook post on Aug. 22. The post came after a customer asked for a tattoo of a skull with a Nazi cross on it.
Memphis tattoo and piercing shop Trilogy has taken a firm stance against customers requesting supremacist art.
Trilogy, located on South Highland just off campus, let customers know where they stand on requests of tattoos leaning in the direction of “white power or confederate sympathies,†in a Facebook statement Aug. 22.
In their statement, Trilogy said they will not satisfy these requests and will be on the lookout for any questionable images. They will also “vehemently refuse service to anyone seeking work that promotes hatred or violence.â€
Britt Mallery, a University of Memphis business freshman and piercing apprentice at Trilogy, said the statement was made after a customer requested a tattoo with a Nazi symbol.
“Someone wanted a tattoo with a skull, but it had a Nazi cross on it,†Mallery said. “Once (the customer) left, the artist told our manager.â€
Mallery said this is the only instance he has seen and said they do not get many requests for tattoos such as a skull with the Nazi cross.
“Ninety-nine percent don’t ever request something like that,†Mallery said. “He’s the only one I have seen.â€
Mallery said if any request were made for any similar tattoos in the future, the situation would be handled as peacefully as possible.
“Every front desk person is different,†Mallery said. “Some are more polite than others. Personally, I would tell them no and ask them to leave.â€
Jackie McGinnis, front desk associate at Trilogy, said there have been similar instances before of customers requesting tattoos that would be considered supremacist.
“We’ve had people in the past wanting onfederate flags or something extremely southern,†McGinnis said.
Though people have made requests for these tattoos, McGinnis said Trilogy has every right to deny them.
“Tattoos aren’t something you have to have; it’s not a mandatory service,†McGinnis said. “This is something you’re choosing to get on your body, and we can choose what is deemed morally acceptable to draw and put there.â€
Other Memphis tattoo parlors, such as Studio 42 in Bartlett, also deny the request of any supremacist tattoos.
Dustin Shield, owner and operator of Studio 42, said he fully stands behind Trilogy and their statement.
“No one wants to breed racism and hatred,†Shield said. “I refuse to sponsor that for a paycheck.â€
Shield said all requests of tattoos that would be considered racist would be denied at Studio 42 in the future.
“We have morals here,†Shield said. “If you want to spread racism and hatred, go do it on your own damn time.â€
Shield said he would only welcome tattoos such as confederate flags and Nazi symbols if someone wanted to come in and remove them, and he even offered incentives.
“I’d welcome anyone and even give them half price if they wanted to remove it,†Shield said.
