The Scary Guy visits Essex
An inspirational American speaker with a striking appearance
visited schools throughout Essex to encourage young people to
accept each other for who they are.
The Scary Guy, a former tattoo artist whose mission is to
eliminate hate, violence and prejudice worldwide, came to Essex for
the second time in January to visit six schools in Harlow,
Braintree, Chelmsford and Maldon.
The 6ft tall, 20 stone visitor whose face and body are covered
in tattoos grabbed the attention of pupils before encouraging them
to put prejudice and intolerance aside by sharing some of his
personal experiences.
The 57-year-old was born in Minnesota and owned three tattoo
shops before legally changed his name to The Scary Guy in 1998,
selling his shops and going on the road to meet young people.
The inspirational speaker has worked alongside prisons and
detention centres, schools and colleges and government agencies and
was invited back to Essex this month after his first visit in March
2011 to dissuade young people from becoming involved in
gangs.