Tattoo artist offering free cover up of hate symbols
Every day Jorden, a Norfolk County resident, carries around a symbol of his former life he wishes he could erase — it is a hate symbol tattooed in a hidden area of his body.
He said he acquired it while trying to survive prison during a dark time in his life.
“For about 15 years, I was in drug addiction. And, that came with jail and the streets,” Jorden explained.
But now, many years into recovery and a new life, Jorden said his hateful tattoo remains a great source of shame.
“I met the Lord and totally radically changed. Set me free from drug addiction. Now, I am a father and a husband,” he said.
Jorden's story is not unique to Simcoe, Ont. tattoo artist John Champagne. He has heard many stories of a hateful tattoos being applied for misguided beliefs or jail gang requirements.
“All the people I have talked to so far, just said it was a mistake,” he explained. “They just said it was something they had to do in order to survive.”
Champagne fully admits it is hard to tell if someone has truly changed their mindset, but he wants to give those who have made a mistake a second chance — no questions asked.
For the next two months, he is offering free sessions to transform tattoos of hate into scenes of humour and acceptance.
“I going to try to get some hate off the street for Christmas, maybe change some lives,” he said.
Jorden is looking forward to removing a symbol of hate acquired while in prison during a darker time in his life many years ago. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
In Jorden’s case, Jon will turn the hate symbol into a Windows operating system logo.
“Now he’s taking a sign of hate and he’s turning into laughter,” Jon said.
It is one of many designs Jon is creating to help those who have already come forward with requests to remove their hateful symbols and words.
Financially independent at a young age, Jon said he is prepared for a long list of pro bono clients.
After all, he maintains that covering up signs of hate with signs of laughter and love helps more than just the person tattooed.
“We live in Canada. We’re so multicultural here. There is no room for this here,” he said.
Jon is hoping other Canadian tattoo artists will take his idea.
For more information on his offer, you can visit the Pure Pain Parlour Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.