Name: Vicki Massman
Age: 54
Position: Adjunct Faculty
Q: Where did you get your tattoo?
A: Dream Merchant Tattoos in Springfield.
Q: What is the story behind your tattoo?
A: In Buddhism the lotus flower is a symbol of rebirth. Lotus flowers are planted in the mud and blossom in the water. It’s a metaphor for how humans can grow from something ugly into something beautiful. “Ahimsa” is a term that mean’s non-violence. I am a pacifist, so I believe in non-violent resistance.
Q: Why did you choose the forearm for your tattoo?
A: Basically because I like to see it to remind me of the potential I have to become a better person and to remind myself of the commitment I made as a pacifist.