I removed the post that Sean put up earlier which was causing such controversy. I didn’t want the discussion to keep revolving around one person’s tattoos because we don’t know if that person is a racist or just an idiot (if it’s the first then it looks like the answer would be both).
Shannon and I have been discussing the post via email earlier and he reminded me of this old post of a Hitler portrait from a tattooer in Singapore. As it stands now and has been the policy for years, racist and hategroup tattoos go into the Political Section of BME. Similar to the Animal Tattoo & Piercing sections, we don’t support it but BME’s mandate is to archive and catalog the evolution and history of our community, even the ignorant aspects of it. However, that doesn’t expand to other parts of BME like IAM.
IAM’s long standing TOS states the following:
“IAM is a community built around principles of tolerance. You may not post hatespeech (race, gender, or sexuality-based attacks). This includes use of terms like “gay” or “fag” or “kike” in a derogatory manner, even in jest. This rule is very strict, and extends to racist codes and iconography (“14″, “88″, and so on), as well as NSBM and racist band lists and so on. This includes verifiable offsite posts. To be very clear about this: if you are a bigot, onsite or off, stay off IAM. This is not a ban on racism. This is a total ban on bigots.”
This begs the question as far as political commentary on racist tattoos. I personally don’t want to see them get any more attention than they deserve, which is why they’re generally quietly filed away, along with other ill advised modifications. We can’t sit back and pretend that they don’t exist but we also don’t need to give them any room in the spot light that is Modblog.
As both Sean and I have said in the comments section, neither of us recognized the tattoo as a Totenkopf. At first glance I thought it was three skulls because you couldn’t see the entire tattoo. I was sent some messages stating that the racist aspect of the tattoo should be ignored because it wasn’t the focus of the post. The focus of the post was the small boobs and not tattoos. I don’t agree with that line of thinking. One of the other reasons we can’t flat out reject racist tattoos is that we simply don’t have the manpower to be fully adept at all the secret racist codes out there. As none of the staff on BME are racists, we don’t know the secret handshakes. So we try to file the tattoos where they belong. Maybe it would be more helpful if racists grew balls and weren’t so embarrased by their beliefs that they have to disguise them.
The reasoning for this post was to give you guys a post to comment on that wasn’t attacking a specific individual. So let your thoughts fly.
Comments
303 responses to “The politics of Body Modification?”
vern, i think it is, didnt know she had “whites only” tattooed on her inner lip.
i’ll stay clear of her. TBH
vern, i think it is, didnt know she had “whites only” tattooed on her inner lip.
i’ll stay clear of her. TBH
vern, i think it is, didnt know she had “whites only” tattooed on her inner lip.
i’ll stay clear of her. TBH
skull and crossbones is racist now?
I think that any imagery should be permitted. But then again I think that thought, especially in our community, should be free. Most of us do not need to be told that racism is bad and seeing some symbols of it…well, it seems like among bme people it fosters thought more than it breeds hate.
Just take a look at the various swastika reclamation projects out there.
skull and crossbones is racist now?
I think that any imagery should be permitted. But then again I think that thought, especially in our community, should be free. Most of us do not need to be told that racism is bad and seeing some symbols of it…well, it seems like among bme people it fosters thought more than it breeds hate.
Just take a look at the various swastika reclamation projects out there.
skull and crossbones is racist now?
I think that any imagery should be permitted. But then again I think that thought, especially in our community, should be free. Most of us do not need to be told that racism is bad and seeing some symbols of it…well, it seems like among bme people it fosters thought more than it breeds hate.
Just take a look at the various swastika reclamation projects out there.
oh yeah. you could always post any of the stuff I submit instead, though, if you really feel like racism shouldn’t be up on modblog 😀 lol
oh yeah. you could always post any of the stuff I submit instead, though, if you really feel like racism shouldn’t be up on modblog 😀 lol
oh yeah. you could always post any of the stuff I submit instead, though, if you really feel like racism shouldn’t be up on modblog 😀 lol
anji its not just any skull and crossbones, its a Totenkopf.
anji its not just any skull and crossbones, its a Totenkopf.
anji its not just any skull and crossbones, its a Totenkopf.
I’m gonna quickly chime in here, as I personally have known Lauren for 4-5 years and happen to be good friends with her. Let me preface my comments by saying: if you know me, I’m one of the most relentlessly PC people you will meet. I have the word “Unity” tattooed in huge letters across my stomach, and I am of mixed racial ancestry. What I’m trying to say is: I’m not in any way, shape, or form a person who displays prejudice.
It may be hard for most people who have seen this Totenkopf tattoo to believe, but Lauren has MANY friends of different races and backgrounds who are very aware of what the “dead head’s” original context is. In a fashion similar to Mike’s pseudo-Aryan, funny (and at times, undeniably tasteless) tattoos, she has taken something which was once a powerful, fascist symbol and made jest of it. I don’t think any truly racist person would be happy to learn that a woman who constantly associates with “non-white” individuals and has even engaged in sexual acts with the same would be wearing a symbol which was reserved for SS officers.
I’m not completely defending this, either. I wasn’t exactly “stoked” when she got it. In fact, it made me quite uncomfortable. This discomfort was not because I was personally offended, but rather because I was fairly certain that the critical reception would be exactly what has been exhibited here. Lauren is a tough girl, so she can take the criticism just fine on her own, but I just wanted to be able to vouch that she’s not some horrible racist.
In regards to “censorship,” I agree that Modblog isn’t the place for modifications of “questionable intention.” I think Rachel/Sean/whoever is posting absolutely has the right to remove any content which they object to, so long as the original content remains accessible in it’s proper section on BME. The reality is: Modblog gets traffic from all over the web, while individual image galleries buried in the tattoo section do not. If you go looking for it and would like to find it, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard. By posting it on Modblog, it can be construed that BME endorses or promotes tattoos of that nature. Frankly, I don’t feel that’s the kind of press our community needs.
I’m gonna quickly chime in here, as I personally have known Lauren for 4-5 years and happen to be good friends with her. Let me preface my comments by saying: if you know me, I’m one of the most relentlessly PC people you will meet. I have the word “Unity” tattooed in huge letters across my stomach, and I am of mixed racial ancestry. What I’m trying to say is: I’m not in any way, shape, or form a person who displays prejudice.
It may be hard for most people who have seen this Totenkopf tattoo to believe, but Lauren has MANY friends of different races and backgrounds who are very aware of what the “dead head’s” original context is. In a fashion similar to Mike’s pseudo-Aryan, funny (and at times, undeniably tasteless) tattoos, she has taken something which was once a powerful, fascist symbol and made jest of it. I don’t think any truly racist person would be happy to learn that a woman who constantly associates with “non-white” individuals and has even engaged in sexual acts with the same would be wearing a symbol which was reserved for SS officers.
I’m not completely defending this, either. I wasn’t exactly “stoked” when she got it. In fact, it made me quite uncomfortable. This discomfort was not because I was personally offended, but rather because I was fairly certain that the critical reception would be exactly what has been exhibited here. Lauren is a tough girl, so she can take the criticism just fine on her own, but I just wanted to be able to vouch that she’s not some horrible racist.
In regards to “censorship,” I agree that Modblog isn’t the place for modifications of “questionable intention.” I think Rachel/Sean/whoever is posting absolutely has the right to remove any content which they object to, so long as the original content remains accessible in it’s proper section on BME. The reality is: Modblog gets traffic from all over the web, while individual image galleries buried in the tattoo section do not. If you go looking for it and would like to find it, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard. By posting it on Modblog, it can be construed that BME endorses or promotes tattoos of that nature. Frankly, I don’t feel that’s the kind of press our community needs.
I’m gonna quickly chime in here, as I personally have known Lauren for 4-5 years and happen to be good friends with her. Let me preface my comments by saying: if you know me, I’m one of the most relentlessly PC people you will meet. I have the word “Unity” tattooed in huge letters across my stomach, and I am of mixed racial ancestry. What I’m trying to say is: I’m not in any way, shape, or form a person who displays prejudice.
It may be hard for most people who have seen this Totenkopf tattoo to believe, but Lauren has MANY friends of different races and backgrounds who are very aware of what the “dead head’s” original context is. In a fashion similar to Mike’s pseudo-Aryan, funny (and at times, undeniably tasteless) tattoos, she has taken something which was once a powerful, fascist symbol and made jest of it. I don’t think any truly racist person would be happy to learn that a woman who constantly associates with “non-white” individuals and has even engaged in sexual acts with the same would be wearing a symbol which was reserved for SS officers.
I’m not completely defending this, either. I wasn’t exactly “stoked” when she got it. In fact, it made me quite uncomfortable. This discomfort was not because I was personally offended, but rather because I was fairly certain that the critical reception would be exactly what has been exhibited here. Lauren is a tough girl, so she can take the criticism just fine on her own, but I just wanted to be able to vouch that she’s not some horrible racist.
In regards to “censorship,” I agree that Modblog isn’t the place for modifications of “questionable intention.” I think Rachel/Sean/whoever is posting absolutely has the right to remove any content which they object to, so long as the original content remains accessible in it’s proper section on BME. The reality is: Modblog gets traffic from all over the web, while individual image galleries buried in the tattoo section do not. If you go looking for it and would like to find it, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard. By posting it on Modblog, it can be construed that BME endorses or promotes tattoos of that nature. Frankly, I don’t feel that’s the kind of press our community needs.
Chris, it sounds like you’re saying that her way of “disempowering” this Nazi symbol (which now it sounds like she knew the meaning of from the start) is by sucking black cock? Was this her plan from the start? Because I’m having some trouble buying that the explanation is this abstract and profound. And anyway, the “white chicks and black cock” porn subgenre, and the explanation of “well I have a gay/black/whatever” friend, doesn’t dispel racist potential, and in my experience, those who fall back on those excuses tend to have bigoted inclinations.
You’d be amazed who’s a racist, and you’d be amazed how long they can hide it not just from the public but from their close friends, both because of outright secrecy, and because of communicating their racism with “codes” and messages that can be difficult to interpret (not that the plain old totenkopf is difficult to interpret, even if she’s sucking black cock). It feels to me like “playing” with racism gets “cooler” and more common every year. I don’t get it. I suppose it typifies the ignorance and shallow thinking that’s all too common in this generation, the first generation that’s starting to grow up in a world that hasn’t had really obvious suffering from institutionalized racism (not that it’s not still quite common). It’s a really pathetic worldview.
I stand by my assessment that she’s either an idiot or a racist, or more likely, a bit of both.
**Important side comment: Anything I say here is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with Rachel or with BME, and that I have no association with BME or ModBlog other than being a reader. I don’t work for or edit BME so if you have a problem with what I said, blame me, not BME.**
Chris, it sounds like you’re saying that her way of “disempowering” this Nazi symbol (which now it sounds like she knew the meaning of from the start) is by sucking black cock? Was this her plan from the start? Because I’m having some trouble buying that the explanation is this abstract and profound. And anyway, the “white chicks and black cock” porn subgenre, and the explanation of “well I have a gay/black/whatever” friend, doesn’t dispel racist potential, and in my experience, those who fall back on those excuses tend to have bigoted inclinations.
You’d be amazed who’s a racist, and you’d be amazed how long they can hide it not just from the public but from their close friends, both because of outright secrecy, and because of communicating their racism with “codes” and messages that can be difficult to interpret (not that the plain old totenkopf is difficult to interpret, even if she’s sucking black cock). It feels to me like “playing” with racism gets “cooler” and more common every year. I don’t get it. I suppose it typifies the ignorance and shallow thinking that’s all too common in this generation, the first generation that’s starting to grow up in a world that hasn’t had really obvious suffering from institutionalized racism (not that it’s not still quite common). It’s a really pathetic worldview.
I stand by my assessment that she’s either an idiot or a racist, or more likely, a bit of both.
**Important side comment: Anything I say here is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with Rachel or with BME, and that I have no association with BME or ModBlog other than being a reader. I don’t work for or edit BME so if you have a problem with what I said, blame me, not BME.**
Chris, it sounds like you’re saying that her way of “disempowering” this Nazi symbol (which now it sounds like she knew the meaning of from the start) is by sucking black cock? Was this her plan from the start? Because I’m having some trouble buying that the explanation is this abstract and profound. And anyway, the “white chicks and black cock” porn subgenre, and the explanation of “well I have a gay/black/whatever” friend, doesn’t dispel racist potential, and in my experience, those who fall back on those excuses tend to have bigoted inclinations.
You’d be amazed who’s a racist, and you’d be amazed how long they can hide it not just from the public but from their close friends, both because of outright secrecy, and because of communicating their racism with “codes” and messages that can be difficult to interpret (not that the plain old totenkopf is difficult to interpret, even if she’s sucking black cock). It feels to me like “playing” with racism gets “cooler” and more common every year. I don’t get it. I suppose it typifies the ignorance and shallow thinking that’s all too common in this generation, the first generation that’s starting to grow up in a world that hasn’t had really obvious suffering from institutionalized racism (not that it’s not still quite common). It’s a really pathetic worldview.
I stand by my assessment that she’s either an idiot or a racist, or more likely, a bit of both.
**Important side comment: Anything I say here is my personal opinion and has nothing to do with Rachel or with BME, and that I have no association with BME or ModBlog other than being a reader. I don’t work for or edit BME so if you have a problem with what I said, blame me, not BME.**
hahahah great, chris. now i’m a nazi AND a whore.
i love you.
hahahah great, chris. now i’m a nazi AND a whore.
i love you.
hahahah great, chris. now i’m a nazi AND a whore.
i love you.
I certainly support Rachel’s right to do what she wants with this website- I do however find it a bit odd timing after the post about Google….Its understandable to be angry when someone is being a moron, but what it comes down to is that we can all and do,say, and think whatever we want. And privately owned/operated businesses can too. BME and google are not so different, eh?
I certainly support Rachel’s right to do what she wants with this website- I do however find it a bit odd timing after the post about Google….Its understandable to be angry when someone is being a moron, but what it comes down to is that we can all and do,say, and think whatever we want. And privately owned/operated businesses can too. BME and google are not so different, eh?
I certainly support Rachel’s right to do what she wants with this website- I do however find it a bit odd timing after the post about Google….Its understandable to be angry when someone is being a moron, but what it comes down to is that we can all and do,say, and think whatever we want. And privately owned/operated businesses can too. BME and google are not so different, eh?
I’m sorry but she is a racist. Her inner lip tattoo says WHITES ONLY. She had to take it down because of all the crap she was getting for it.
I’m sorry but she is a racist. Her inner lip tattoo says WHITES ONLY. She had to take it down because of all the crap she was getting for it.
I’m sorry but she is a racist. Her inner lip tattoo says WHITES ONLY. She had to take it down because of all the crap she was getting for it.
The difference between what google did and what I did is as wide as the ocean.
Google called a tattooed image of a pin up pornography and stopped allowing BME to display ads.
I removed an image from Modblog that WAS a racist tattoo that was unwittingly posted by Sean.
Those are not even in the same category.
The difference between what google did and what I did is as wide as the ocean.
Google called a tattooed image of a pin up pornography and stopped allowing BME to display ads.
I removed an image from Modblog that WAS a racist tattoo that was unwittingly posted by Sean.
Those are not even in the same category.
The difference between what google did and what I did is as wide as the ocean.
Google called a tattooed image of a pin up pornography and stopped allowing BME to display ads.
I removed an image from Modblog that WAS a racist tattoo that was unwittingly posted by Sean.
Those are not even in the same category.
i think shannon has sumed it up very weel indeed to be honest.
i think shannon has sumed it up very weel indeed to be honest.
i think shannon has sumed it up very weel indeed to be honest.
This discussion is pretty much over. I have spoken to the wearer of the tattoo and she is indeed a racist even though she’s too chicken shit to admit it and stand up for what she believes in. Her account has been locked many times for racist content.
11-07-2008 16:00:25 Account TOS blocked (racist posts “edit: i didn’t cry until some nigger came up to me in the grocery store and said “smile, girl. you’re so pretty when you smile. tell your boyfriend we’re all jealous because we’re all looking for a girl like you.” great, nigger. that’s the reverse of what i needed to hear today. “) – set by Jen
11-28-2008 09:18:05 (Second chance – she must remove all racist content from her page.) – set by Jen
01-14-2009 09:22:42 Account TOS blocked (“whites only” lip tattoo/ nazi ss skull crossbones) – set by Rachel
01-14-2009 09:22:42′ Public message: Rascism is not accepted on IAM. We are a diverse and open community and we don’t think “Whites Only” tattoos or Nazi SS Skulls are “funny”. – set by Rachel
It is one thing to have these beliefs and get them tattooed on you and a completely different issue to not be willing to admit it and to come up with one lie after another to justify the tattoos.
This discussion is pretty much over. I have spoken to the wearer of the tattoo and she is indeed a racist even though she’s too chicken shit to admit it and stand up for what she believes in. Her account has been locked many times for racist content.
11-07-2008 16:00:25 Account TOS blocked (racist posts “edit: i didn’t cry until some nigger came up to me in the grocery store and said “smile, girl. you’re so pretty when you smile. tell your boyfriend we’re all jealous because we’re all looking for a girl like you.” great, nigger. that’s the reverse of what i needed to hear today. “) – set by Jen
11-28-2008 09:18:05 (Second chance – she must remove all racist content from her page.) – set by Jen
01-14-2009 09:22:42 Account TOS blocked (“whites only” lip tattoo/ nazi ss skull crossbones) – set by Rachel
01-14-2009 09:22:42′ Public message: Rascism is not accepted on IAM. We are a diverse and open community and we don’t think “Whites Only” tattoos or Nazi SS Skulls are “funny”. – set by Rachel
It is one thing to have these beliefs and get them tattooed on you and a completely different issue to not be willing to admit it and to come up with one lie after another to justify the tattoos.
This discussion is pretty much over. I have spoken to the wearer of the tattoo and she is indeed a racist even though she’s too chicken shit to admit it and stand up for what she believes in. Her account has been locked many times for racist content.
11-07-2008 16:00:25 Account TOS blocked (racist posts “edit: i didn’t cry until some nigger came up to me in the grocery store and said “smile, girl. you’re so pretty when you smile. tell your boyfriend we’re all jealous because we’re all looking for a girl like you.” great, nigger. that’s the reverse of what i needed to hear today. “) – set by Jen
11-28-2008 09:18:05 (Second chance – she must remove all racist content from her page.) – set by Jen
01-14-2009 09:22:42 Account TOS blocked (“whites only” lip tattoo/ nazi ss skull crossbones) – set by Rachel
01-14-2009 09:22:42′ Public message: Rascism is not accepted on IAM. We are a diverse and open community and we don’t think “Whites Only” tattoos or Nazi SS Skulls are “funny”. – set by Rachel
It is one thing to have these beliefs and get them tattooed on you and a completely different issue to not be willing to admit it and to come up with one lie after another to justify the tattoos.
actually, i got stumped by a black girl with no hand. chris, you needed to get a little more descriptive.
actually, i got stumped by a black girl with no hand. chris, you needed to get a little more descriptive.
actually, i got stumped by a black girl with no hand. chris, you needed to get a little more descriptive.
actually, the white power unicorn was the logo for a failed line of aryan kids toys that Sarah Palin and I were trying to launch a few years back.
We have practiced a very secret form of racism for years called, being white.
Mike Beer must have stolen it from me.
It is obvious that simply due the the stark seriousness of ALL his other tattoos, that this one must be finally taken for what it is…..A WHITE POWER UNICORN.
Achtung Smufs, you are colored people in the hateful eyes of the KKKunicorn.
actually, the white power unicorn was the logo for a failed line of aryan kids toys that Sarah Palin and I were trying to launch a few years back.
We have practiced a very secret form of racism for years called, being white.
Mike Beer must have stolen it from me.
It is obvious that simply due the the stark seriousness of ALL his other tattoos, that this one must be finally taken for what it is…..A WHITE POWER UNICORN.
Achtung Smufs, you are colored people in the hateful eyes of the KKKunicorn.
actually, the white power unicorn was the logo for a failed line of aryan kids toys that Sarah Palin and I were trying to launch a few years back.
We have practiced a very secret form of racism for years called, being white.
Mike Beer must have stolen it from me.
It is obvious that simply due the the stark seriousness of ALL his other tattoos, that this one must be finally taken for what it is…..A WHITE POWER UNICORN.
Achtung Smufs, you are colored people in the hateful eyes of the KKKunicorn.
Shannon-
I’m certainly not disputing whether Lauren sucks black cock or not, as I’m sure she does. I digress from my point, though…
I’m not defending the fact that she’s displaying racist symbols, I genuinely don’t agree with it. I was just speaking from my personal experience with her character. I suppose I didn’t make it clear enough that I don’t approve of her choices, but I don’t feel it’s my place to completely judge her motivation.
Shannon-
I’m certainly not disputing whether Lauren sucks black cock or not, as I’m sure she does. I digress from my point, though…
I’m not defending the fact that she’s displaying racist symbols, I genuinely don’t agree with it. I was just speaking from my personal experience with her character. I suppose I didn’t make it clear enough that I don’t approve of her choices, but I don’t feel it’s my place to completely judge her motivation.
Shannon-
I’m certainly not disputing whether Lauren sucks black cock or not, as I’m sure she does. I digress from my point, though…
I’m not defending the fact that she’s displaying racist symbols, I genuinely don’t agree with it. I was just speaking from my personal experience with her character. I suppose I didn’t make it clear enough that I don’t approve of her choices, but I don’t feel it’s my place to completely judge her motivation.
Rachel said: “I would be pretty upset or embarrassed if I posted something on Modblog that I didn’t realize was a nazi/hate tattoo and then someone became inspired by it and got it tattooed on themselves not realizing it was something more than just a skull and cross bones.”
I think this is a really good response to the “why can’t we just look at her tits and ignore the tattoo since that’s not what the entry was about” line of thinking. It is true that people see tattoos on ModBlog and then go and get them without researching it. Yeah, maybe it’s that dummy’s fault for getting a tattoo they haven’t researched, but it would be a shame if ModBlog shared some blame in someone accidentally getting a hate-themed tattoo that they didn’t want.
Rachel said: “I would be pretty upset or embarrassed if I posted something on Modblog that I didn’t realize was a nazi/hate tattoo and then someone became inspired by it and got it tattooed on themselves not realizing it was something more than just a skull and cross bones.”
I think this is a really good response to the “why can’t we just look at her tits and ignore the tattoo since that’s not what the entry was about” line of thinking. It is true that people see tattoos on ModBlog and then go and get them without researching it. Yeah, maybe it’s that dummy’s fault for getting a tattoo they haven’t researched, but it would be a shame if ModBlog shared some blame in someone accidentally getting a hate-themed tattoo that they didn’t want.
Rachel said: “I would be pretty upset or embarrassed if I posted something on Modblog that I didn’t realize was a nazi/hate tattoo and then someone became inspired by it and got it tattooed on themselves not realizing it was something more than just a skull and cross bones.”
I think this is a really good response to the “why can’t we just look at her tits and ignore the tattoo since that’s not what the entry was about” line of thinking. It is true that people see tattoos on ModBlog and then go and get them without researching it. Yeah, maybe it’s that dummy’s fault for getting a tattoo they haven’t researched, but it would be a shame if ModBlog shared some blame in someone accidentally getting a hate-themed tattoo that they didn’t want.
wow she really is a huge racist, and shock horror, no backbone. good riddance TBH
wow she really is a huge racist, and shock horror, no backbone. good riddance TBH