StigmaStigma

A negative association with something that A negative association with something that is not necessarily negativeis not necessarily negative

Statistics don’t helpStatistics don’t help

Only 25% of people who get tattoos outside of Only 25% of people who get tattoos outside of the t-shirt line make it to middle classthe t-shirt line make it to middle class

16%-20% of Americans have tattoos; of that 16%-20% of Americans have tattoos; of that number 37.5% regret getting a tattoo at allnumber 37.5% regret getting a tattoo at all

57% of the American Prison population have 57% of the American Prison population have tattootattoo

31% of those who define themselves as gay, 31% of those who define themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people have lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people have tattoostattoos

Prison TattooPrison Tattoo57% of incarcerated Americans have tattoos57% of incarcerated Americans have tattoos

A prison tattoo is black. Colored A prison tattoo is black. Colored ink is not allowed in most prisons.ink is not allowed in most prisons.

Motorcycle gangsMotorcycle gangs

Like prison tattoos, these tattoos Like prison tattoos, these tattoos always always tell a storytell a story

Be cautious, many tattoos convey messages that Be cautious, many tattoos convey messages that you should know for your safetyyou should know for your safety

Almost all self proclaimed or initiated white Almost all self proclaimed or initiated white supremacist bear tell-tale tattoossupremacist bear tell-tale tattoos

Spider-web tattooSpider-web tattoo This symbol has several meanings. It can mean jail time or that this man has killed a black person. Often, killing a black person is an initiation right to get into certain white power motorcycle gangs. This tattoo will usually appear over a shoulder or elbow, and sometimes, though rare, over another joint.

Be advised not all motorcycle gangs engage in this behavior. ALSO, this tattoo has become more of a traditional image to fill a sleeve piece for many tattoo enthusiasts.

Examples of NON-racist Spiderweb tattoo.

Some general racist symbols

Look out for number symbolsLook out for number symbols

14 (words) 88 14/88

 

5(words) 311 33/6 

666 83 100% 

4/19 4/20 28 

18 23

For exampleFor example

311-stand for 3 of the 11311-stand for 3 of the 11 thth letter of the alphabet letter of the alphabet or “KKK”or “KKK”14(words)- "14(words)- "We must secure the existence of We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.“our people and a future for white children.“88- “Heil Hitler”88- “Heil Hitler”5(words)-”5(words)-”I have nothing to say."I have nothing to say." Alex Curtis, a Alex Curtis, a San Diego-based white supremacist who coined San Diego-based white supremacist who coined the phrase, believes that white racists in the the phrase, believes that white racists in the United States should use the five words to United States should use the five words to demonstrate a "code of silence" and to help demonstrate a "code of silence" and to help avoid prosecution by law enforcement. avoid prosecution by law enforcement.

Other Symbols

MusiciansMusicians

Always been Always been associated with associated with drinking, drug use, drinking, drug use, promiscuity, promiscuity, rebellious behavior.rebellious behavior.

If a musician or celebrity openly displays a tattoo If a musician or celebrity openly displays a tattoo they are considered “bad boy” or “…girl”they are considered “bad boy” or “…girl”

Are tattoos sinful?Are tattoos sinful?

"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, . . . ""For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, . . . "1 Samuel 15:231 Samuel 15:23

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.""Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."Exodus 22:18Exodus 22:18

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.upon you: I am the LORD.Leviticus 19:28 Leviticus 19:28

You may find many more verses like these You may find many more verses like these in the bible (Old Testament)in the bible (Old Testament)

However, in the New Testament…However, in the New Testament…

Revelation 19:11-16 says:Revelation 19:11-16 says:

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name writtenand he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself., that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.