[Jamal]

Are Black Folks now mimicking and emulating counter culture groups, such as the heavy metal genre and the goths? It is becoming more and more popular among Black Folks to wear tattoos and sport clothing (including caps, handbags, belt buckles, etc.) with skull and bones (the symbol of death) on them. Tattoos as well as skull and bones have always been a mainstay of Heavy Metal Rock groups, Motor Cycle gangs (such as Hells Angels) and more recently the Goths. As we all know the symbol of skull and bones is associated with death, another symbol, 666, is associated with the devil. Why are so many Black Folks (who basically come from a God Fearing culture) embracing such a demonic symbol as the skull and bones? I first started noticing the skull and bones being worn by rap artist, and now it seems to be fashionable among their fans. So far, 3 six Mafia is the only group I know of that has embraced the 666 symbol. Not only have the rap artist adopted the skull and bones symbol of death, but many of their names reflect death and destruction ie. "Death Row" , "Murder Inc" etc.

Until Dennis Rodman started wearing tattoos (when he played for Detroit) tattoos were not that fashionable among Black Folks, as a matter of fact he was thought of as being a freak for wearing the tattoos along with the multi-colored hair do. Then all of a sudden, athletes and celebrities started following his lead, then the rap artist and subsequently their fans, and now today tattoos are in vogue among Black Folks. Personally, I don't care for tattoos, especially on women, to me there is nothing more unattractive, then seeing a lovely woman with a evening gown on and tattoos on her arms (a good example is Mary J. Bliege). IMO a lot of tatts make a woman appear masculine.