Publication Date
12-3-2025
Abstract
Allen Rivera is a retired Military veteran, now working in the I.T. field on Fort Bliss. In this story about the history behind his sleeve tattoos, he goes through many of the stories and meanings behind his tattoos, whether they were dedicated to family members important to him (Grandmother, Aunt, etc.), tributes to major history moments on Puerto Rico (El Morro, Taino artifacts), or they were popular symbols among Puerto Rican culture (Coqui) each tattoo has a meaning and a reason behind the ink. In a mix of personal and cultural, Allen shares different aspects of Puerto Rican culture, such as Taino history, music, and traditions, and his standpoint on tattoos as a whole and the significance they carry. He acknowledges stereotypes behind tattoos that are prevalent on the island and even in his own family, and how those hardships, along with others, bring more life and meaning into the art on his arms.
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