# Dark-skinned African-Americans with tattoos: why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 5, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406 "2006-10-05T17:45:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/21 "2006-10-05T22:25:14Z")
**pizzabrat** , the OP seemed like an honest question to me. Keep your subtext to yourself, or take it to the Pit. Don’t be an ass in this forum. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/22 "2006-10-05T22:26:42Z")
[QUOTE=pizzabrat] What I knew is that the subtext to the OP was that blacks are irrational for getting tattoos. [/QUOTE] Even assuming you’re correct (and I don’t think you are), why was that worth getting snippy over? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/23 "2006-10-05T22:27:45Z")
[QUOTE=pizzabrat] Do you think the same thing when you see a young person’s attractive face? If so, for what end? [/QUOTE] Can you not see the difference here? Attractive face = inborn quality. Tattoo = something done voluntarily, presumably because the person finds it aesthetically pleasing. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/24 "2006-10-05T22:38:07Z")
[QUOTE=Omega Glory] “White will not show well on black skin at all. Certain colors such as white, yellow, and other light colors will not show well. Color in general does not look well on black skin, I have had cover ups on every color tattoo that I had. Color, over time, tends to look very muted on dark skin. I suggest to all my clients of color to consider black or “tribal” tattoos."’ Here’s a cite for my second post:[http://www.inkedblog.com/archives/2005/07/tattoos\_and\_skin\_tone.html](http://www.inkedblog.com/archives/2005/07/tattoos_and_skin_tone.html) [/QUOTE] Ok, you’re probably right. I’m not denying that, honestly. But I’ve had a few friends of friends that were fairly dark (I’m what I’d consider medium toned, so a minimum of a few shades darker than me) that had bright, light, white tats. But I think you’re right in theory, as the yellow in my tats wont even show up on my skin. But I swear I’ve seen it before, though! But alas, no pictures. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/25 "2006-10-05T22:41:54Z")
Slight hijack: isn’t it strange how on the SDMB, the “Why do Jews …”, “Why do Muslims …”, “Why do Asians …”, “Why do Southerners …” and “Why do [name of European ethnic group] …” questions are eagerly answered by Dopers without much thought as to the intent of the OP, but “Why do blacks …” questions always bring out the offenderati? I’m not going to defend my question, because doing so would be fruitless; no matter what I say, the offended parties would still think my title was “Grand Wizard.” It’s the classic “You’re racist - prove you’re not” accusation that is impossible to win. (There has to be a name for that type of fallacy.) I agree that the subtle appearance of tribals on dark skin can be striking. However, I asked “what’s the appeal in getting a complicated tattoo that will be difficult to see on very dark skin?” - mainly multi-colored art or tiny, ornate lettering on very dark skin, moreso than easier-to-distinguish tribals or symbols ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/26 "2006-10-05T22:45:52Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] It’s the classic “You’re racist - prove you’re not” accusation that is impossible to win. (There has to be a name for that type of fallacy.) [/QUOTE] There’s a name for it. See the last line of **Frank** ’s warning. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/27 "2006-10-05T23:09:56Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Slight hijack: isn’t it strange how on the SDMB, the “Why do Jews …”, “Why do Muslims …”, “Why do Asians …”, “Why do Southerners …” and “Why do [name of European ethnic group] …” questions are eagerly answered by Dopers without much thought as to the intent of the OP, but “Why do blacks …” questions always bring out the offenderati? I’m not going to defend my question, because doing so would be fruitless; no matter what I say, the offended parties would still think my title was “Grand Wizard.” It’s the classic “You’re racist - prove you’re not” accusation that is impossible to win. (There has to be a name for that type of fallacy.) [/QUOTE] There is only one poster who has expressed offense, and he has been scolded. Most “Why do Blacks?” threads come and go without a blink. So no need to nail yourself to a cross quite yet. However, these kinds of threads can be irritating in their banality. Why, I should post a thread entitled “Why do White People Wear White Panty Hose?” just to balance things out. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/28 "2006-10-05T23:13:39Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] There is only one poster who has expressed offense, and he has been scolded. Most “Why do Blacks?” threads come and go without a blink. So no need to nail yourself to a cross quite yet. However, these kinds of threads can be irritating in their banality. Why, I should post a thread entitled “Why do White People Wear White Panty Hose?” just to balance things out. [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t mind seeing that thread, I’ve always thought in the majority of cases white pantyhose look very wrong. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/29 "2006-10-05T23:14:40Z")
Also, wouldn’t it have made more sense to ask simply about darker-skinned people? African Americans are not the only folks who have skin darker than Europeans. In fact, most dark-skinned people are not African American. It’s like asking why French-Canadians like to tan their skins. I’m not saying the OP is bad. I’m just saying your question is much more general (or at least should be) than it’s presented. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2006, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/30 "2006-10-05T23:38:00Z")
I have seen a lot of black guys with the frat letters _branded_ onto them rather than tattoos. I think this looks a lot more unique and stands out more than a tattoo. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/31 "2006-10-06T00:01:27Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] **pizzabrat** , the OP seemed like an honest question to me. Keep your subtext to yourself, or take it to the Pit. Don’t be an ass in this forum. [/QUOTE] I was being generous with “subtext” - was the question not “Why do blacks get tattoos when it doesn’t make sense for them to do so?”. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/32 "2006-10-06T01:00:33Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Even assuming you’re correct (and I don’t think you are), why was that worth getting snippy over? [/QUOTE] The question “why do people wear clothes that I think are ugly?” (which the OP essentially is) should only be a rhetorical question. When presented as a real inquiry, it becomes a stupid question. The addition of the racial element took it from a dumb question to an dumb, mildly annoying question. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/33 "2006-10-06T01:14:16Z")
[QUOTE=pizzabrat] I was being generous with “subtext” - was the question not “Why do blacks get tattoos when it doesn’t make sense for them to do so?”. [/QUOTE] No, this was the question: > [@elmwood](#): > > … what’s the appeal in getting a complicated tattoo that will be difficult to see on very dark skin? Dumb question or not, some posters in this thread have actually managed to address it. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/34 "2006-10-06T01:20:41Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Slight hijack: isn’t it strange how on the SDMB, the “Why do Jews …”, “Why do Muslims …”, “Why do Asians …”, “Why do Southerners …” and “Why do [name of European ethnic group] …” questions are eagerly answered by Dopers without much thought as to the intent of the OP, but “Why do blacks …” questions always bring out the offenderati? [/quote] Because the “Why do blacks…” threads tend to portray blacks either negatively or like aliens from outspace. These are paraphrased from memory: “Why do blacks name their kids crazy names?” “Why do blacks have bad BO?” “What went wrong with African-Americans?” “Why don’t blacks swim?” “Why aren’t blacks in the Special Forces?” “Why do American blacks call themselves ‘African-American’?” I rarely see “Why do \…” threads or even Asian or Latino ones. Can you really blame black folks for being sick of being treated like a monolithic oddity on this board? ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/35 "2006-10-06T01:26:52Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Slight hijack: isn’t it strange how on the SDMB, the “Why do Jews …”, “Why do Muslims …”, “Why do Asians …”, “Why do Southerners …” and “Why do [name of European ethnic group] …” questions are eagerly answered by Dopers without much thought as to the intent of the OP, but “Why do blacks …” questions always bring out the offenderati? [/QUOTE] Actually, several of the “why do black people” OPs written by you have gone off without a hitch. I see two previous threads (the red lobster thread, and the prom thread) that didn’t go over very well. A person doesn’t have to be easily offended, or believe you’re racist to wonder what’s up though. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/36 "2006-10-06T01:50:33Z")
[QUOTE=you with the face] Can you really blame black folks for being sick of being treated like a monolithic oddity on this board? [/QUOTE] I don’t see it in this case. The question is directed at “Dark-skinned African-Americans with tattoos”. I don’t think it is directed at all blacks. > [@](#): > > Actually, several of the “why do black people” OPs written by you have gone off without a hitch. I see two previous threads (the red lobster thread, and the prom thread) that didn’t go over very well. A person doesn’t have to be easily offended, or believe you’re racist to wonder what’s up though. Prompted by your post, I have found by **elmwood** three OPs with the word “black,” and two with “African-American.” I can’t find the prom one. Five threads over a period of years does not strike me as needing wonderment. Perhaps people’s reactions here should occasion some introspection by **elmwood** , but I don’t believe he’s doing anything wrong by asking his questions. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/37 "2006-10-06T01:55:00Z")
I have considered closing this thread, since it has been completely hijacked. However, since the hijack, I think, has some interest and was abetted by the OP, I shan’t. It’s not moveable, though - if it turns into a flamefest, I will close it. **pizzabrat** , I withdraw your Note. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/38 "2006-10-06T02:03:36Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] Prompted by your post, I have found by **elmwood** three OPs with the word “black,” and two with “African-American.” I can’t find the prom one. Five threads over a period of years does not strike me as needing wonderment. [/QUOTE] Okay that was poorly worded, but this “A person doesn’t have to be easily offended, or believe you’re racist to wonder what’s up though” wasn’t just directed at \*\*Elmwood \*\* for being curious about black people. It’s directed at several of the threads that \*\*ywthf \*\* paraphrased. I understand that not all of us have friends from every, ethnic, religious, sexual and socio-economic background, so there will be some things we all wonder about. The leap between seeing a few minorities [not] doing something to seriously wondering if \*everyone \* in the group does['nt] it strikes me as kind of odd though. Honestly, I’ve even done it myself on occasion, but it doesn’t really make much sense. ---
**Author:** ![jakeline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@jakeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakeline)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/39 "2006-10-06T02:37:24Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] I wouldn’t mind seeing that thread, I’ve always thought in the majority of cases white pantyhose look very wrong. [/QUOTE] Psst. I’m not wearing white pantyhose – I’m really that pale. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2006, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406/40 "2006-10-06T12:48:57Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] I don’t see it in this case. The question is directed at “Dark-skinned African-Americans with tattoos”. I don’t think it is directed at all blacks. [/quote] In isolation, any of the threads that I rattled off from memory wouldn’t be annoying/offensive. But there does seem to be a general fixation on this board with how different blacks are from everyone else. I could understand if the questions were about complex issues, but most of the time they’re about mundane stuff that has an obvious answer, so the question doesn’t always come across as a sincere query but rather a vehicle to highlight how baffling _their_ behavior is. Like this OP. Why would a dark-skinned black person get a tatoo? Um, maybe 'cause they want, too? Because they like the way it looks? Because the tatoo represents more than just a pretty picture to them? What other kind of answers could there be? I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and sometimes I’ll humor them with an answer. But I understand where **pizzabrat** is coming from. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-skinned-african-americans-with-tattoos-why/375406.md?page=3)