An Awkward Moment at the Tattoo Shop

[Reesey]

Hello Loves,

I have been trying to track my heritage for over 15 years. I have done almost every DNA research accessible to me and have narrowed down my ancestry to the Akans in Ghana, who later migrated through Egypt. Though many have their doubts about the DNA testing, I choose to believe my results are true as many choose to believe in their white Jesus. lol (no diss, just being 100 with ya)

I just got one of many Adinkra tattoos yesterday and while there the most awkward thing happened.

So, the artist was almost done with my design when a younger white couple came in and while looking around saw my wrist and asked about it. I told them and she said that she has always wanted to get a tat of "The Right Eye" (or Eye of Ra).

I said that the symbol was nice as well and that I have many friends with that same tat.
She decided to get the tat.

Here is where it got awkward.

My tattoo artist, a white male, says to her "Are you of African decent?" To which she replied with a chuckle, "no I am not".

He then directs the rest of his statement to her husband/boyfriend or whatever saying "I do apologize sir but I will not render this symbol on your lady here for she is not of African decent and this is an African/Egyptian symbol".

The ENTIRE shop just paused. She was extremely insulted and embarrassed. Heck I was embarrassed for her. Before I give my thoughts on the situation or what transpired there after, I would love to hear your thoughts ABW Fam.

So... what say you?

 

[Goldie]

While I do feel she's a dumbass for wanting that tat, everybody should be able to get any tat they want and are willing to pay for.

 

[Loquacious]

I mean, it's her money. She should be able to get whatever she wants. Let her ass suffer the consequences later.
I'd never get something that represents white power on me.

 

[Ironman]

Cultural appropriation like a mug but it is her money and right to ask for it. It is the artist choice whether to accept the money as well.

 

[Reesey]

cultural appropriation is a hot topic right now. some would argue that u r guilty of it too.

I agree with you. But good thing I don't give a sh*t about what people think. lol..

That's another issue wrong with many people (not just our people) today as well. Worried about the thoughts of those who do not matter.

 

[Duwop]

Niggaz get Chinese gibberish tatted on them every day b

Let them do what they want to....

 

[Loquacious]

I'm not against him not tattooing her. He has every right to deny her services.
She also has a right to get whatever tattoo she wants if she's paying for it. She's crazy regardless of who tattoos her.

 

[Goldie]

since u so picky bout tats, quick diversion: if u were to design me 1 what wld it be?
:mhm:

"MF DOOM IS TRASH" with a dumpster next to it

 

[Chi-Town B]

I don't care what other people do with their bodies, if she wanted the tat the artist should have did it.

 

[Loquacious]

If it's deeper than money, I understand why he chose not to do it. If it was me, I would've taken the money, tattooed her and paid a bill or two.

 

[Reesey]

Now for ya'll saying he should have done it.
What makes her getting that tat any different then them taking our music, hairstyles, dances etc?

#devilsadvocaterealquick

 

[Reesey]

For those who say that he has the right to deny her services, would you have said the same if he denied to serve a black man/woman or would you yell "racists" and look for some Equal Rights movement/march?

 

[Loquacious]

For those who say that he has the right to deny her services, would you have said the same if he denied to serve a black man/woman or would you yell "racists" and look for some Equal Rights movement/march?

No. I'd probably be mad but it's other artist out here.

 

[Duwop]

My whole thing is accountability...

If they choose to do something like that, then they subject themselves to whatever attention it brings....

 

[Reesey]

denying business from people BECAUSE of their ethnicity falls under racial discrimination. that's protected under the law.

denying a particular kind of business because it falls under your definition of cultural appropriation is not the same. she could've asked for a tat of a flower as an alternative and he might have gone through with it. if he still said "no, you're white", then that comparison wld hold water.

I agree with you, but the majority of our people do not see logic when they are presented with similar situations. We JUMP at the change to scream discrimination in situations that are not, which then dilutes any solidified arguments we may have in the future.

I only point out how many of us, as African Americans, would have reacted in a similar situation yet we do not act in this way in reverse.

 

[SeaSnake]

Yes. Even further if you claim descent but dont know what group that tat comes from or what it mean you wildlin

 

[NeighborhoodNomad]

If the symbol has meaning to you, or it resonates with you in some way who am I to deny your right to that symbol.

I don't think the tattoo artist was wrong for standing on his convictions either, even if those convictions were/are rooted in racism. But at the same time @Reesey had an opportunity to say the same thing to the tattoo artist. "Only a descendent of Africa can tattoo this symbol on me." I don't think that would have been wrong either.

I don't think anyone was in the wrong in this situation. Reesey and the other girl got something that meant something to them, and the tattoo artist stood on his convictions when it probably could have cost him his job.

 

[Duwop]

My whole thing is this...if you get a tat that symbolizes something you know nothing about,, then your deserve 100% of the humiliation you would get from someone who is an expert on the subject,

And you deserve 100% of the reaction of anyone who finds it offensive.

If I got a tat on my arm that said

I hate white people

I pretty much asking for every bit of bull shit I would have to deal with every time someone saw it who took offense....

Let people learn Shit the hard way

 

[Reesey]

My whole thing is this...if you get a tat that symbolizes something you know nothing about,, then your deserve 100% of the humiliation you would get from someone who is an expert on the subject,

And you deserve 100% of the reaction of anyone who finds it offensive.

If I got a tat on my arm that said

I hate white people

I pretty much asking for every bit of bull shit I would have to deal with every time someone saw it who took offense....

Let people learn Shit the hard way

But the symbol she wanted to get means "Good Luck/ Great Fortune".
Is Good Luck only reserved for Africans because it is written in African symbol?
Should we not speak spanish nor eat mexican food because it is not of our origin?

#devilsadvocateagain haha.

 

[Duwop]

But the symbol she wanted to get means "Good Luck/ Great Fortune".
Is Good Luck only reserved for Africans because it is written in African symbol?
Should we not speak spanish nor eat mexican food but it is not of our origin?

#devilsadvocateagain haha.

Do what you please,, but just be prepared to deal with people who may have a problem with it.

Many tats are a conversation piece. I see it all the time.