Tattoo History | Diversity In Tattooing | Atlanta Tattoo Shop

Tattooing saw what one might call a controversial start to 2020. A “celebrity” tattooer was essentially called out for distasteful and socially insensitive photos that surfaced on the internet. These images would go on to spark debate throughout the tattoo community, especially among marginalized groups within tattooing, particularly people of color. But rather than focusing on the ignorance and negativity of the controversy and in light of black history month, I would prefer to give credit where credit is due, which leads me to the topic of this blog post.

Within the context of said photographs, I’ve heard a lot recently about how the roots of modern tattooing are that of “primarily white men.” Such a blanket statement is grossly inaccurate and rather misleading. While modern electric tattooing was propelled forward by white innovators, to say the roots of tattooing are“primarily white” discredits the contributions of women, people of color and indigenous groups that make
tattooing’s rich and diverse history what it is.

In this blog, we will discuss the history of diversity and culture of tattooing.

The act of tattooing the body has existed on the African continent for thousands of years. Tattooing in Africa dates back as far as ancient Egypt, where symbols of fertility were tattooed on women as well as tattoos symbolising a tribal hierarchy. Detailed documentation is hard to come by because of the time period, number of tribes and rise of the slave trade. And, as with many cultures affected by colonialism, a lot of information on sacred practices had been lost in time. That being said, tattooing and marking both the body and the face holds a fixed place in Africa’s history.

Tattooing permeates every facet of society regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, social status and nationality. It is as old as time and recorded history and isn’t specific to one culture. It is something we all share. To essentially disregard what people of color and other marginalized groups have offered to tattooing does the entire art form a disservice -- although people of color didn’t necessarily have access to modern electric tattooing in the United States until the mid 70s when Jacci Gresham broke onto the scene.

Jacci is credited as being the first black individual to tattoo in the United States. Jacci essentially kick started the black tattoo scene in America. At the time, she was one of maybe 5 practicing female artists as no one was apprenticing people of color -- far less a woman of color. Jacci was able to break down those barriers, opening Art Accent Tattoos and Body Piercing which would go on to be Louisiana’s oldest continuous tattoo business. Jacci would pioneer the world of Afrocentric tattooing and tattoo culture. She set the precedent for artists like Ronnie Zulu and Atlanta’s very own Miya Bailey. Atlanta and the South in general has been sort of this creative incubator for black and brown tattooers, with talented artists and craftsmen and women of all races, genders and ethnic backgrounds creating this shift in tattooing where diversity is embraced.

Tattooing has been and always will be this rite of passage that knows no bounds. Tattooing is this thing that manifests itself through all walks of life. So much is owed to those who came before us, in the sense of honoring traditions. But at the same time, there isn’t one set of masters that govern this craft. Instead, it is the immense diversity that makes tattooing what it is.