# Black men and earrings. Can we let it go already? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 14, 2010, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402 "2010-05-14T06:31:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/41 "2010-05-14T16:47:43Z")
White. I wore a magnetic earring for a while. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/42 "2010-05-14T16:55:37Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Black men and earrings. Can we let it go already? If a bunch of people you don’t know wearing small pieces of purely ornamental metal exercises you so much, i submit that you’re the one who needs to “let it go.” ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/43 "2010-05-14T16:57:02Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > What is it with black men and earrings? > > The young black male seems to enjoy the multi-carat stud, while the older black male seems to enjoy the pirate look. > > I think my WTF moment with this was when Ed Bradley, of 60 Minutes fame, wore a loop earring in the last few years before he kicked off the mortal coil. I think he was 65. Ed, we know you were black. We could SEE you. Why did you feel a need to wear a pirate earring? Can you imagine Morley Safer wearing an earring? How about Andy Rooney? Why not? Are they just stodgy old white men? (Well, I think Morley is a jew, but for this opinion piece, he can be white.) > > I saw Michael Jordon on a sports center clip and I think he had the \*\*two \*\*loop pirate look. (Or is that Mr. Clean?) ARGH! > > After tonight’s Cleveland/Boston game, everyone had at least one, but usually 2 studs. > > I can’t imagine how black football players get their helmets off without ripping their ears off with those damn studs. > > Black men! The 80’s are over! Let it go! Or expect to see the return of the mullet, the white man’s only possible response to tacky above the neck styling. > 😉 Newsflash for you: Ed Bradley started wearing an earring in the 1980s, though it was a stud, rather than a hoop. I remember arguing with a coworker about it. I quit that job in 1988, so I’m sure it was that long ago. [And not everyone knew he was black](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=396183&highlight=bradley) amazingly enough. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/44 "2010-05-14T16:59:05Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > My 11 year-old very white son has an earring. I’d say it’s pretty homogeneous at this point. Tell him to pull his pants up. > [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > White. I wore a magnetic earring for a while. Now that’s attractive. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/45 "2010-05-14T16:59:47Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > Tell him to pull his pants up. Ha! If you only knew. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/46 "2010-05-14T17:34:00Z")
> [@Oni no Maggie](#): > > I dunno about the diamonds, but IMO a small gold loop earring looks really nice against African-American skintones. Black. The people are black. Or is it specifically American black people you think look good in earrings, and not black people from anywhere else? ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/47 "2010-05-14T18:04:45Z")
Here’s a timely coincidence. This just showed up in my mailbox and explains why (any) men wear earrings. A normally conservative co-worker showed up weaaring an earring today. I asked him if he had always had a piercing and he replied, “No, only since my wife found this earring in the car the other day.”😃 ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/48 "2010-05-14T18:35:50Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > Black. The people are black. Or is it specifically American black people you think look good in earrings, and not black people from anywhere else? No, I mean the medium-to-dark skin of people of african descent whose ancestors were taken to the U.S. within the last 200 years, who also often carry lineage from white, Native American, and other racial backgrounds. The gold looks good on the bittersweet-chocolate skintone of African-born folks, too, but IMO it’s even more attractive on those with some mixed race somewhere in their lineage. So PPPPPPPppppppbbbbbbbbbttttttt to you! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/49 "2010-05-14T18:38:51Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > True. I suppose we should also give him partial credit for, “you can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.” I think that was Dan Patrick. Or possibly Keith Olberman. Definitely before Stuart Scott’s time. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/50 "2010-05-14T18:51:36Z")
[Apparently it was Dan Patrick.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0136668/quotes) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/51 "2010-05-14T19:03:16Z")
The only ear ornamentation I have strong opinions on are those accursed ugly quarter (and sometimes larger) sized [ear tunnels](http://tattoo.about.com/b/a/stretchearblog.jpg). I wouldn’t illegalize them except for minors (which I’m guessing is already illegal), but my strong opinions are all based on the “those things are disgusting and a pathetic ‘Look-at-Me’ bid”. As for other guys who wear earrings, to each his own. Personally- hope I don’t get flamed for expressing an aesthetic opinion- I’ve always thought earrings looked better on darker skinned guys than on white guys because dark skin just makes 'em pop while most white guys, especially if they’re over 21 or are professionally dressed, just look like they’re going through an early midlife crisis. I love the fact that down heah earrings are still associated with gays even though most gays abandoned them many years ago when people like Orson Bean and Robin Williams and Bob Saget started appearing in public in them. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/52 "2010-05-14T19:58:54Z")
> [@Oni no Maggie](#): > > No, I mean the medium-to-dark skin of people of african descent whose ancestors were taken to the U.S. within the last 200 years, who also often carry lineage from white, Native American, and other racial backgrounds. > > The gold looks good on the bittersweet-chocolate skintone of African-born folks, too, but IMO it’s even more attractive on those with some mixed race somewhere in their lineage. > > So PPPPPPPppppppbbbbbbbbbttttttt to you! 😛 Ah. My mistake. I forgot there are no mixed race people anywhere but America. Wait a minute though… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_jeffrey_lebowski/32/215_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/53 "2010-05-14T20:05:51Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You think Stuart Scott is a serious reporter? Did you read every word in the **Stink Fish Pot** ’s statement? Here it is, once more: > [@](#): > > I can’t think of 5 famous white guys that wear earrings and also do serious reporting (ala Ed Bradley) **or** a sports reporter like Stuart Scott of ESPN. To me, that sentence in no way identifies Stuart Scott as a serious reporter. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/54 "2010-05-14T20:31:44Z")
> [@Teacake](#): > > Ah. My mistake. I forgot there are no mixed race people anywhere but America. Wait a minute though… :rolleyes: Yes, it was completely my intent to indicate that there are no people-of-mixed-but-largely-Negroid-descent outside of the U.S., whatsoever. Thank you for clarifying that. It couldn’t _possibly_ have been that I’m American, and 99.9% of the P.O.M.B.L.N.D. I’ve met in my life have been as well, and that I was **using the polite terminology in general use here.** Nope, I was totally just being snooty and excluding any P.O.M.B.L.N.D. that live in the rest of the world. Because I’m ALL ABOUT DELIBERATELY PISSING FOLKS OFF. Happy now? Jesus Motherfucking Christ On A Pogo Stick. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/55 "2010-05-14T20:59:25Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Why in the world should black men let it go? I think earrings are attractive on men, I think an earring would be attractive on my boyfriend, and he happens to be black. Word. Earrings are attractive on damn near **all** men, IMHO (although the style and color of earring should be chosen to suit the individual). Don’t wear them if you don’t want to but quit trying to discourage them on men of **whatever** color. Mmmmmmm guys with earrings. > [@Sampiro](#): > > I’ve always thought earrings looked better on darker skinned guys than on white guys because dark skin just makes 'em pop [Shakespeare agreed with you.](http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/imagery.html) > [@Sampiro](#): > > while most white guys, especially if they’re over 21 or are professionally dressed, just look like they’re going through an early midlife crisis. No they don’t, they look hot. Shut up and quit dissing the earrings. (You’re right though that a lot of guys don’t seem to think much about choosing earrings that work best with their looks, outfits and/or surroundings: I think some guys just put in a stud at the piercing place and that’s all they ever wear.) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/56 "2010-05-14T21:14:49Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I think my WTF moment with this was when Ed Bradley, of 60 Minutes fame, wore a loop earring in the last few years before he kicked off the mortal coil. I think he was 65. Ed, we know you were black. We could SEE you. Why did you feel a need to wear a pirate earring? Can you imagine Morley Safer wearing an earring? How about Andy Rooney? Why not? Are they just stodgy old white men? (Well, I think Morley is a jew, but for this opinion piece, he can be white.) Look how stupid you are. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/57 "2010-05-15T01:07:24Z")
I don’t get what looking attractive has to do with it. Earings just generally don’t look professional\*. The exception is fancy dress parties. But not when you’re trying to be taken seriously. \*As does anything gaudy. Bling on a newscaster is distracting. You aren’t there to be attractive. You aren’t there about yourself. You’re there to give the news. \*If you want to argue that it looks professional, go right ahead. It’s not like it bothers me enough to say anything. I just found the refutations weird. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/58 "2010-05-15T01:17:40Z")
Ha! You should have seen some of my former coworkers. Gauged ears, pierced septums, labrets, etc. I’m so used to seeing more extreme piercings (and those were fairly mild) that little studs are fairly mundane. Get over it, grandpa. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/59 "2010-05-15T01:36:08Z")
[QUOTE=Stink Fish Pot] Are they just stodgy old white men? (Well, I think Morley is a jew, but for this opinion piece, he can be white.) [/QUOTE] I’m sorry, but what? For the purpose of this opinion piece a Jew can be white? What does that even mean? Oh, I hate ear tunnels but love earrings on most guys. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402/60 "2010-05-15T01:50:52Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Bling on a newscaster is distracting. You aren’t there to be attractive. You aren’t there about yourself. You’re there to give the news. Sure, but I think unobtrusive jewelry can be part of a professional look. If a female newscaster can wear a modest pair of small pearl stud earrings, or if a male newscaster can have a simple and unostentatious tie tack in his tie, then I don’t see why a male newscaster can’t wear a small and discreet stud or hoop earring. And I’m really not seeing how [Ed Bradley’s small gold hoop earring](http://blogs.sltrib.com/tv/uploaded_images/EdBradley-767577.jpg) would be considered “bling” or “distracting”. This is bling. Ed Bradley’s look is not bling. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-men-and-earrings-can-we-let-it-go-already/539402.md?page=4)