Queen Latifah Give Me Strength!

Tattoo by Jess at Black Hatchet Tattoos November 2020 (COVID Phase 2)

Annnnnd we’re back with the butt! People may find this while experience odd but nothing feels more fun, playful and brings out my inner child than these cartoon butt tattoos. They’re hilarious, you only love once and each one actually feels deeply meaningful. Bob’s Burgers has been a big part of my life and career.

When Graduate School was really hard, when my uncle died, when I couldn’t get out of bed, when I needed to laugh or be reminded to not take myself too seriously Bob’s Burger’s was there. With their weird songs, odd sex jokes, so many farts, I am always reminded that even the hardest parts of life can be hilarious.

One of my all time favorite episodes is “Full Bars” (Season 3, Episode 2) for no other reason than Gene dresses up as Queen Latifah in during her U.N.I.T.Y phase. Gene is hilarious, he says what people think but are afraid to say, he is unafraid to be a weird art kid that comes up with crazy songs, crazy projects and is always full of the best one-liners. Seeing him, a small kid, be unafraid (even in a cartoon) to be himself and take risks feels important for us all to see. And seeing him equally embrace and love Queen Latifah always feel like such a joy!

Queen Latifah has been one my favorite musicians and actors. Brining Down the House, Beauty Shop, Bessie, Chicago and Hairspray, so so many films where she is both comical and serious, emotive, moving and genuinely such a multifaceted artist. Growing up with very few plus-size people to look up to she was one of the women I had to look up to. Yes I am white and she is black, and as an adult I understand the deep intricacies of this connection. As a child I saw a strong, funny, Queer black woman who was unafraid to be herself while also having a quiet dignity. While I never learned the quiet, I certainly learned a lot through my time watching and listening to her, how to carry myself, how to create an internal sense of dignity, how to unapologetically exist. So here is to Gene Belcher, Queen Latifah and the most wonderful and talented Jess who, tattoos my butt and watches Bob’s Burgers while doing it.