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Tattoos have been around forever. Evidence of this comes from the 61 markings on a mummy that’s over 5300 years old. Historians also look to the Egyptians as one of the earliest cultures that had tattoos. Indigenous Polynesians groups (like Samoans and Tahitians) have a long history with tattoos as well. In fact, it is assumed that the word ‘tattoo’ comes from the Samoan word ‘tatau’.
In the 21st century, tattoo culture has gone through so many changes. This includes, but is not limited to, who gets tattoos, where they are placed, what they mean and who gives them. The change has been major for Black people, who often had (and still have) aversions to getting permanently inked. The shift towards embracing tattoos does come with some challenges.
History and culture of tattoos
Many Indigenous peoples largely practiced tattooing until Christian missionaries came into their communities and restricted the practice. They saw it as savage and pagan. Ideas like this prevailed in North America. Going back to the early 1900s, circus-goers had a fascination with “freaks” who had tattoos.
As World Wars 1 and 2 waged on, tattoos became more popular with the soldiers who were fighting. They took this time to get emblematic tattoos (this still happens with soldiers today). One tattoo artist became popular around this time: Sailor Jerry.
The tattoo culture then shifted again, and people weren’t getting inked as much. As a result of this shift, many groups like punks, hippies and bikers got tattoos as a protest to the conservative culture they lived in. This developed into bolder tattoos (the 80s) then into symbols like hearts and flowers (the 90s). The growing influence of celebrities increased the popularity of tattoos. The rise in tattoo shows like Miami Ink are thought to have increased tattooing’s popularity.
The popularity of tattoos was mostly in white groups. For people of colour, especially Black and Latino people, tattoos came with some assumptions. However, opinions have been shifting in the communities.
Black people and tattoos
Tattooing as a trend
Some people see the popularizing of tattoos with Black people as a trend that comes from being influenced by social media and celebs. Whether this is good or bad is completely subjective. It is good advice to make up your mind on whether something as permanent as a tattoo is right for you.
Tattoo artists’ limitations
With more Black people deciding to get tattoos, they are noticing a concerning trend: some tattoo artists don’t know how to tattoo darker skin.
There’s normally some level of research that goes into finding an artist that knows how to tattoo melanated skin. The solution for many Black people who want tattoos is to go to Black tattoo artists. The search for this results in finding out that there aren’t many Black artists as they face rejection from the predominantly white community. Some progress has been achieved, but there’s still more to be made.
Some artists believe that colour theory would help improve tattoo work on Black skin. This improvement would require tattoo artists to acquire a new skill set. Those who are willing to work on Black skin can and should put in the time to learn.
It’s important to recognize that there are some problems in tattooing. There’s a chance of getting HIV or hepatitis from a tattoo needle; however, the risk is very low if the needle used is brand new. For more melanated clients, there is a risk of developing a keloid (raised scar), though some artists have thought of ways to reduce this.
Professionalism
One thing that gets brought up a lot is professionalism in tattoos. Capitalism brought professionalism with it. This is the idea that things must be done in a way that makes work productive. This, of course, came with bias, especially against non-white workers. Black people who have had to straighten or cut their hair to go to work know what the negative side of professionalism looks like.
Tattoos are constantly under professionalism’s scrutiny. In recent years, there has been a shift in working people getting inked and that comes with the change in how society views tattoos. A general thought is that it’s people who do the work, not their hair or clothes or tattoos.
Tattoos’ permanence
Getting a tattoo comes with many risks, one of them being getting stuck with a “bad” piece. Bad is subjective, but, in this context, it involves tattoos that you no longer want for any reason (a band you no longer like or whatever else).
Removal options do exist, but they can be expensive, time-consuming and may affect Black people’s skin differently. Some people opt to cover tattoos they regret, so that’s a workaround.
For many people though, permanence is the point. They use tattoos to remind themselves of an important time/person/etc. in their life or of something they overcame. Inking their body means they have that physical reminder. People see it as a form of personal expression or like a diary.
Black people have undoubtedly gained more interest in getting tattoos (even the trendy ones). Hopefully this gets more artists to work on Black skin and gets more Black tattoo artists in studios. There’s beauty in diversity; hopefully the tattoo industry can embrace that.
Thean Sargeant
Thean Sargeant is a first-time writer for Black Voice. She likes to create interesting stories that others will enjoy.