Stephen A. Smith Articulately Destroys Excessive Tattoo Culture

[no pun intended]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2nf18QdsnE

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/640/962/d91.gif

[JohnFreeman]

Stephen A is such a d*ckhead. Their bodies do what they want

[FreezingTsmoove]

:facepalm

[KyleKong]

Stephen A is such a d*ckhead. Their bodies do what they want
http://mahasininthemorning.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/cartman.gif%3Fw%3D500

[moe94]

Rappers are the ones influencing this, if anything.

[El Gato Negro]

I don't know who i can't stand more him or skip,didn't watch.

[LeGOAT]

People always complaining about Skip and Stephen A, but the only place I here about these clowns is on ISH. Just don't watch them

[NumberSix]

Meh. Tattoos on black people is like skywriting at night.

[Pushxx]

Most of America has the perception that people covered in tattoos are less intelligent and trustworthy.

I don't think anyone disputes that, including people who get a lot of tattoos. It's just people don't care. It's not a big deal.

[SuperPippen]

I don't usually agree with SAS, but I'm with him on this issue.

**** excessive tattoos. Shit looks trashy as hell.

You have NBA players that attempt to dress like trendy hipsters, and yet underneath those clothes they layers of thuggish looking (yes, thuggish looking) ghetto ass tattoos? What the hell are they trying to look like?


And yes, I realize that people have every right to go out and get tatted up as much as they want to, just like I have every right to judge them for doing so.

[KDthunderup]

Meh. Tattoos on black people is like skywriting at night.
:oldlol:

[sportjames23]

Some coded and not so coded language here from certain elements.

[215Philly]

Meh. Tattoos on black people is like skywriting at night.
:applause:

[JohnFreeman]

Stephen A is white.

[SuperPippen]

Some coded and not so coded language here from certain elements.

Black people are amazing. But tattoos look awful. That's about all one should feasibly read into this.

[flipogb]

some players just look like they have dirty arms, might as well have colors on there like Birdman so at least it looks like something.

[Thunderfan86]

He's right :applause:

[RedBlackAttack]

It's interesting living through the Dennis Rodman era when he started getting really crazy with that tattoos and hair. People thought he was completely insane for having sleeves of tattoos on his arms. Who knew he was so far ahead of his time? Now, it seems like almost a prequesite if you're a quality basketball player to, not just get one or two tattoos, but to cover your entire body with them.

I don't get it and I have a tattoo. But, it's in a place that can be easily covered if I choose to do so. I taught in an inner-city public school a couple of years ago just outside of Cleveland proper and there were tons of students with sleeves and even some with neck tattoos.

There's no doubt all of these athletes and rappers are influencing young kids, and they're putting a real ceiling on what kinds of jobs those kids will be able to get in a year or two when they're in the workforce.

It's pretty sad. I agree with Stephen A. on this one. I wish celebrities would look at the bigger picture occasionally. There are enough things working against minorities who aren't lucky enough to be born with extreme athletic talent or lucky enough to catch on as a rapper.

[CelticBaller]

What an Uncle Tom

[buddha]

Black people are amazing. But tattoos look awful. That's about all one should feasibly read into this.

http://i.imgur.com/EMXZt2i.png

[chosen_one6]

Meh...who cares. It's not negatively affecting anyone by looking at them and if people are stupid enough to follow suit then that's their problem.

[GoRapz]

But...but...but...there's meaning behind these tattoos!!

[G-train]

Sheep are gonna baa

[RedBlackAttack]

Meh...who cares. It's not negatively affecting anyone by looking at them and if people are stupid enough to follow suit then that's their problem.
Kids are stupid. The vast majority of them... especially when it comes to the latest trends. Unfortunately, this trend will be with them the rest of their lives.

Fortunately, when I was a teenager, all I did was wear Jnco Jeans that were 10 sizes too big. If I was stuck wearing those things the rest of my life? Might as well take a header off the 480 Bridge. :oldlol:

These tattoos are a really, really bad trend.

[hahaitme]

Meh...who cares. It's not negatively affecting anyone by looking at them and if people are stupid enough to follow suit then that's their problem.

That's exactly it.

If you have a kid, and he goes and tats himself up because he was "influenced" by an NBA player. I got news for you - he was probably going to do it anyway.

I don't get it anyway, I don't personally have any tattoos myself but it's just a fashion ideology to me. Some people wear clothes that look like absolute shit, some people have bowl cuts, some people wear glasses when they don't need to. Granted tattoos are permanent, same thing applies - if they want to look a certain way which I think doesn't look great, not my problem.

Sometimes you make mistakes when you're younger, but living with the consequences is part of learning. There's a reason tattoo's have age restrictions.

[Breezy]

Stephen a. Smith didn't go far enough. There is no good reason to get any tattoo. History is going to look back on all you sleeved up ass clown's like 70's shag carpeting or 80's haircuts. Quit flaunting your insecurities posted up on your forearm and chest.

Unless you got your tattoo in a Nazi concentration camp you're just looking for attention or trying to invent a personality for yourself and everyone knows it.

[PejaNowitzki]

I really don't care eitherway, people can do whatever the hell they want with their bodies, but as people age, tattoo's start to look really ****ing ugly, you ever see like a 60 year old guy with a bunch of tattoo's, skin all wrinkled, looks ****ed up beyond belief, its like Robin Williams said..."today you get barbed wire, when your old it becomes a ****ing picket fence."

[G-train]

These tattoos are a really, really bad trend.

Agreed.

[G-train]

Stephen a. Smith didn't go far enough. There is no good reason to get any tattoo. History is going to look back on all you sleeved up ass clown's like 70's shag carpeting or 80's haircuts. Quit flaunting your insecurities posted up on your forearm and chest.

Unless you got your tattoo in a Nazi concentration camp you're just looking for attention or trying to invent a personality for yourself and everyone knows it.

Harsh but pretty much true.

[reppy]

These tattoos are a really, really bad trend.

In Portland, it seems like excessive tattoos and gauged ears are all the rage.

Can't say I get it.

Maybe you get bored because it rains a lot so you start drawing pictures on yourself.

[Burgz V2]

SAS went too far on this one :lol

[Sharmer]

these idiots with all these tattoo's will look like clowns when they're in their 80's.

[buddha]

these idiots with all these tattoo's will look like clowns when they're in their 80's.

would rather look like this

http://www.funnypica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Crazy-Funny-Old-Man-01-www.FunnyPica.com_.jpg

than this

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/sites/default/files/publications/new-horizons/issues/2011/june/images/choosing-retirement-home-your-parents.jpg

[russwest0]

SAS butthurt :lol :lol :lol

[wally_world]

I feel SAS on this. It's your body, you can do what you want. But he's just saying doing this costs you certain things in life.

[ImKobe]

SAS butthurt :lol :lol :lol

He's speaking the truth on this one.

[SamuraiSWISH]

SAS with truth bombs on this one.

[russwest0]

He's speaking the truth on this one.

Yeah but it was out of place relative to the context of NBA players and tattoos which he apparently didn't even have a problem with.

Agree with his points, but they were out of place.

[ABG]

Rappers are the ones influencing this, if anything.
yep. hell we got ****** throwin up gang signs on the court now

[Rose'sACL]

i have never liked tattoos and if you are getting them for just yourself then get them in a place which can be hidden when wearing a t-shirt.
there is about less than 1% chance of anyone making it big in sports/movies/music. if you want to succeed in other fields which have more jobs, you have to cover up your tattoos.

[SamuraiSWISH]

It looks ghetto, and trashy. Yes, that's me being judgmental but off the cuff ... I'd never hire some piece of white trash, cholo or nigg with a neck tattoo. Automatic dismissal. Keep that shit in the penitentiary with the other animals, and monkeys.

[fiddy]

Stephen A is white.
so being rational = being white?

oh, and it is something to make fun of because its not cool

[SamuraiSWISH]

What's the point or significance of a particular tattoo anyway when people have sleeves of them, or designs that run into each other? It ends up looking like squiggly lines in an uncolored coloring book.

It's incredibly stupid. Or when people feel the need to tattoo their names or initials on themselves. See LeBron. Is that in case you forget your name or initials?

I get tattoos if it's something important. A couple at most. But it should be hidden unless you're a pro athlete, or entertainer. But what's the point in inking up to your neck, with utterly meaningless shit most of the time?

[Rose'sACL]

Yeah but it was out of place relative to the context of NBA players and tattoos which he apparently didn't even have a problem with.

Agree with his points, but they were out of place.
kids look at athletes and rappers and get those tattoos. even smart people make stupid decisions till they are in their late 20s.
I can clearly see that musicians, actors(most of them) and athletes are not good role models but kids can't see that.
you have to suck a lot of *****(most of the times literally) to make it big in movies/music and athletes are usually not great off the court. Very few athletes are smart off the court and those athletes are never any kid's favorite.

[Rose'sACL]

What's the point or significance of a particular tattoo anyway when people have sleeves of them, or designs that run into each other? It ends up looking like squiggly lines in an uncolored coloring book.

It's incredibly stupid. Or when people feel the need to tattoo their names or initials on themselves. See LeBron. Is that in case you forget your name or initials?

I get tattoos if it's something important. A couple at most. But it should be hidden unless you're a pro athlete, or entertainer. But what's the point in inking up to your neck, with utterly meaningless shit most of the time?
this. people who say stuff like "tattoos are a great way to express yourself" while getting more than a couple small tattoos are just idiots.

[russwest0]

kids look at athletes and rappers and get those tattoos. even smart people make stupid decisions till they are in their late 20s.
I can clearly see that musicians, actors(most of them) and athletes are not good role models but kids can't see that.
you have to suck a lot of *****(most of the times literally) to make it big in movies/music and athletes are usually not great off the court. Very few athletes are smart off the court and those athletes are never any kid's favorite.

Don't give me that role model shit. You be a role model through your actions. If a kid grows up and gets a lot of tattoos because his favorite basketball player did, thats on his parents and not the player.

[ImKobe]

Yeah but it was out of place relative to the context of NBA players and tattoos which he apparently didn't even have a problem with.

Agree with his points, but they were out of place.

He had a problem with NBA players influencing the younger generation to get tattoos. I thought that part was relevant.

[SamuraiSWISH]

this. people who say stuff like "tattoos are a great way to express yourself" while getting more than a couple small tattoos are just idiots.
It's a great way to express yourself man ... yea, for people who are idiots who lack character, nuance, or basic intelligence.

I can express myself with how I act while not looking like a hardened criminal. I mean some of the things people get tatted up and they consider it expressing themselves? Neck tattoos. How ridiculously ghetto, and pointless. Straight trashy.

Look at this stuff expressing himself, their level of importance:

http://images.dailyfill.com/bc3e9bbb19fc47b2_aebab4549cb03b6a/o/1282051038jr_smith_necktat1.jpg

I honestly think most people do it because they think it makes them hard, or makes them LOOK hard.

See suburban raised, wannabe hood thug JR Smith.

No one is saying it shouldn't be legal, or allowed. Or that tattoos in general are wrong or trashy. It's just the excessive, trendy version with the sleeves. Looking like a human coloring book.

Momma didn't birth me to be a damn bill board. With my body as the real estate.

We're just commenting on how from a personal choice level, it's incredibly dumb.

[russwest0]

He had a problem with NBA players influencing the younger generation to get tattoos. I thought that part was relevant.

At the end of the day kids aren't gonna be getting tattoos until they are old enough to decide for themselves and live with the decision.

Can't blame players in the NBA for that.

[Rose'sACL]

Don't give me that role model shit. You be a role model through your actions. If a kid grows up and gets a lot of tattoos because his favorite basketball player did, thats on his parents and not the player.
you are an idiot. did your parents tell you to troll a message board? you do it. my parents told me never to reply to idiots like you but i am doing it and i am 25. teenagers make so many mistakes.
You must be a teenager yourself if you think like this. Parents can only do so much.

[JohnFreeman]

What happened to America being land of the free? Can't you do what you want these days?

[ImKobe]

Don't give me that role model shit. You be a role model through your actions. If a kid grows up and gets a lot of tattoos because his favorite basketball player did, thats on his parents and not the player.

That's on the kid. No one forces anyone to get tattoos, if you make the decision to ink yourself up, you are the only one who should be held accountable, not the rappers, the athletes or your parents.

I have experience with this, teenagers will get tattoos whether their parents approve it or not, in most cases the parents find out after the damage is done.

[SamuraiSWISH]

What happened to America being land of the free? Can't you do what you want these days?
That's not what is being argued. This land is great. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

[Rose'sACL]

What happened to America being land of the free? Can't you do what you want these days?
no one is forcing these athletes to not get the tattoos but most people i meet who are in their late 20s and have made something of themselves don't have more than a couple of tattoos. some even hate those now and are planning to have them removed.
people who get a lot of tattoos in visible places want to be judged based on their looks. how is it wrong to judge them based on their tattoos? tell me a tattoo you would get that would add meaning to your life. go ahead.

[RedBlackAttack]

What happened to America being land of the free? Can't you do what you want these days?
People are free to get tattoos all over their necks and I'm free to call them idiots for doing so.

[JohnFreeman]

People are free to get tattoos all over their necks and I'm free to call them idiots.
Exactly, if people want to get shit tattoos let them do it.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Exactly, if people want to get shit tattoos let them do it.
No one is saying don't let them, though. But employers have a right to deem what isn't acceptable in representing them.

[Rose'sACL]

Exactly, if people want to get shit tattoos let them do it.
and that is what we are saying. don't be offended when people judge you based on your tattoos because that is one of the main reasons behind getting a tattoo in a place which can't be hidden with a t-shirt.

[JohnFreeman]

and that is what we are saying. don't be offended when people judge you based on your tattoos because that is one of the main reasons behind getting a tattoo in a place which can't be hidden with a t-shirt.
I don't have tattoos because they are ugly. Yes I agree that jobs will not allow people to have them, and that is fair. I don't agree with the athletes setting atrend with tattoos though.

[KyrieTheFuture]

There is nothing wrong with tattoos but getting one on your neck is dumb. That's not about personal meaning or even art, it's a grab for attention. Getting tattoos for attention makes no sense but there are plenty of good reasons to get them.

A couple points:

Tattoos have been around for centuries, anyone who thinks this is a phase is kidding themselves

Saying it's gonna look bad when you're 80 is a terrible complaint, you think people without tattoos look sexy when they're 80?

[Real Men Wear Green]

Saying it's gonna look bad when you're 80 is a terrible complaint, you think people without tattoos look sexy when they're 80?
It depends on the tattoo. Commemorating someone close to you that died, some kind of special event, birth of a child? That can be respected. But some of these kids are getting really stupid shit. A personal example: My baby sister has 2 hello kitty tattoos under her neck bones. If she lives that long (heaven help her) and gains some sense (currently doesn't have any) is she going to think getting those and other tattoos was smart when she's 40, let alone 80? A few weeks ago she posted on FB that she wanted another tattoo, asked for suggestions. Many of these kids don't have anything in mind, they just find tattoos cool. When a permanent thing like a tat becomes a fad the followers of the trend are going to feel like fools. You can look at an old picture of yourself with a mullet, gumby, jheri curl, etc and laugh. You look at the tattoo of your old girlfriend on your right arm and you don't laugh so hard because you realize it's still there.

[Cowboy Thunder]

In a Lil Flip diss song to rapper TI, Flip stated:


Next time you take your shirt off, bish get some tatts!

[TrueBlue89]

So this is where all the judge mental whites hangout. So many virgins on this site lol.

[ZenMaster]

I don't have tattoos because they are ugly. Yes I agree that jobs will not allow people to have them, and that is fair. I don't agree with the athletes setting atrend with tattoos though.

What do you mean you don't agree with athletes setting the trend?

[JohnFreeman]

What do you mean you don't agree with athletes setting the trend?
I don't believe that athletes should have to sacrifice there life and choices to be a role model.

[Real Men Wear Green]

I don't believe that athletes should have to sacrifice there life and choices to be a role model.
It doesn't matter what they want. They are role models by the definition of the term. It's not something that a person chooses to be, it's something they become by virtue of other people looking to emulate them. Whether they choose to take that as a serious responsibility or not is entirely up to them and I'm not going to criticize the ones that don't so harshly, they're young themselves and are often just going along with the current trends themselves. But SAS is right when he says young people that have no celebrity occupation in their future are damaging their adult employability by thoughtlessly getting tattoos on parts of their bodies that are uncovered. That's a bad thing for them and they are influenced by these celebrities they have chosen to take on as their role models.

[JohnFreeman]

It doesn't matter what they want. They are role models by the definition of the term. It's not something that a person chooses to be, it's something they become by virtue of other people looking to emulate them. Whether they choose to take that as a serious responsibility or not is entirely up to them and I'm not going to criticize the ones that don't so harshly, they're young themselves and are often just going along with the current trends themselves. But SAS is right when he says young people that have no celebrity occupation in their future are damaging their adult employability by thoughtlessly getting tattoos on parts of their bodies that are uncovered. That's a bad thing for them and they are influenced by these celebrities they have chosen to take on as their role models.
The Barkley "I am not a role model" sums it up quite well

[Real Men Wear Green]

The Barkley "I am not a role model" sums it up quite well
The problem is it's an inaccurate statement. What he should have said is, "I am not a good role model." Look the word up. "Role model" is defined as "someone who another person admires and tries to be like." Nowhere in that definition is the suggestion that the "role model" has a choice in the matter. Because they don't. Michael Jordan didn't stick his tongue out while playing because it was something he wanted millions of kids (and even adults) to emulate, it was just a habit he inherited from his father. But because he was someone people emulated, a role model, it was imitated. Being a role model is not something a person chooses to be, it's something society chooses for them by deciding to imitate them.

[ZenMaster]

I don't believe that athletes should have to sacrifice there life and choices to be a role model.

Kids look up to them and try to immitate them in any way. There's a reason some of them get paid more than their basketball contract to wear certain free custom built shoes.

[JohnFreeman]

I think if the parents are moronic to let them have tattoos then that's life. IF the person is old enough to get one it is their decision

[rezznor]

So this is where all the judge mental whites hangout. So many virgins on this site lol.
:biggums:

[Rake2204]

This is an interesting topic. I'm not quite sure where I stand. I will say, I find Stephen A. Smith much more engaging and listenable when he's being sincere and thoughtful, whether I agree with him or not. I suppose his point is valid. I mean, whether we like it or not, prospective employers really do tend to have a general outline of how we're expected to look.

It sounds cliche, but last year one of my students came back to school and as we were talking, he spoke of the regret he had for the hand tattoos he acquired while in high school. He explained even menial employers had problems with his bodywork and scoffed at giving him a job.

All that said, I respect people's individual rights to do with their body what they please. But I'll say, I'm curious how these tattoo thing will work out in the long run. As others said, fads of all shapes and sizes come and go (mullets, stonewash jeans, mustaches) and tattoos seem of that ilk... but they're permanent. For every very meaningful tattoo out there (ex: tattoo of fallen loved one), there seems to be just as many silly tats (Hello Kitty). I wonder what will happen to the latter. I feel tattoo laser removal may be a great business to be a part of right now.

[jamal99]

Saying it's gonna look bad when you're 80 is a terrible complaint, you think people without tattoos look sexy when they're 80?
I agree with this. Tattoos aren't going to make much difference, yet that is the main argument of people who are against tatts...

[christian1923]

Dudes my age get tats just so they can brag about being " tatted " what a terrible trend, except this one is permanently on you.

[KyrieTheFuture]

It depends on the tattoo. Commemorating someone close to you that died, some kind of special event, birth of a child? That can be respected. But some of these kids are getting really stupid shit. A personal example: My baby sister has 2 hello kitty tattoos under her neck bones. If she lives that long (heaven help her) and gains some sense (currently doesn't have any) is she going to think getting those and other tattoos was smart when she's 40, let alone 80? A few weeks ago she posted on FB that she wanted another tattoo, asked for suggestions. Many of these kids don't have anything in mind, they just find tattoos cool. When a permanent thing like a tat becomes a fad the followers of the trend are going to feel like fools. You can look at an old picture of yourself with a mullet, gumby, jheri curl, etc and laugh. You look at the tattoo of your old girlfriend on your right arm and you don't laugh so hard because you realize it's still there.
That's my point, tattoos aren't dumb, but dumb tattoos are dumb. The mistake wasn't the act of getting the tattoo it was choosing that specific tattoo.

Also it really really surprises me that people consider SAS articulate.

[Real Men Wear Green]

That's my point, tattoos aren't dumb, but dumb tattoos are dumb. The mistake wasn't the act of getting the tattoo it was choosing that specific tattoo.It's also about where you get the tattoo. Smith is right when he says having visible tattoos on a job interview are a negative. You tattoo your neck, knuckles, etc. and a lot of employers won't like the way you would represent their business. So they don't hire you. That's just a fact.
Also it really really surprises me that people consider SAS articulate.Not an issue I care much about either way but he speaks clearly. Maybe you don't like how he slips in and out of slang but it's not a problem for me.

[Mass Debator]

This is actually quite simple. People can do whatever they want to their own bodies. Employers can make any excuse not to hire you, and it is a shame if tattoos are the reason. Whether the shame is on them or the shame is on you, it's up for you to contemplate. If you had "made" it, you have little to worry about. Otherwise, there are other ways to express yourself.

[KyrieTheFuture]

It's also about where you get the tattoo. Smith is right when he says having visible tattoos on a job interview are a negative. You tattoo your neck, knuckles, etc. and a lot of employers won't like the way you would represent their business. So they don't hire you. That's just a fact.Not an issue I care much about either way but he speaks clearly. Maybe you don't like how he slips in and out of slang but it's not a problem for me.
People make a big deal out of it, but I don't think people with neck and knuckle tattoos are applying to corporate jobs. I'm sure there are exceptions, but if you're in that world and too proud to laser off those locations then you're gonna have more workplace problems than just your tattoos.

I feel like he stumbles over his words constantly. He has a good vocabulary and can make points, but he's not a smooth speaker IMO. Maybe because he's so emotional also.

[Real Men Wear Green]

People make a big deal out of it, but I don't think people with neck and knuckle tattoos are applying to corporate jobs. I'm sure there are exceptions, but if you're in that world and too proud to laser off those locations then you're gonna have more workplace problems than just your tattoos.
Smith's point is that we have young people, too young to appreciate the ramifications of the tattoo, just thinking it looks cool, getting these tats done and thus limiting themselves in the job market. And it's not just the corporate work world, plenty of other jobs don't want to have someone on their staff with a skull tattooed on their face or whatever it is.

[AussieG]

How many in this topic who have defended tattoos have excessive tattoos themselves?

They are just expression of your body. It's art. It's just like your personality itself.. are you going to change it to make someone else happy? Be who you wanna be. But don't complain if acting a certain way (like a douchebag) means you don't have friends or a job and don't complain if your tattoos restrict you from getting a job, or getting looks from people. Because it's natural to expect that. But also, don't let it stop you from expressing yourself.

The sheep aren't the ones who get tattoos, the sheep are the ones that change themselves to try and fit in with others (by getting tattoos) or by trying to be normal..

Just be yourself.

[tmacattack33]

I didn't watch it, but if he was talking about how black bball players influence kids who watch them and that leads to them getting ridiculously tatted up, then he is correct.

And if he is saying that getting tatted up on your whole body like that will decrease their changes of getting good jobs, then he is correct. It doesn't matter if it is wrong that older corporate people look down upon tattoos. The fact is that they do. And so Stephen A Smith would be correct if he said this.

[robert de niro]

I didn't watch it, but if he was talking about how black bball players influence kids who watch them and that leads to them getting ridiculously tatted up, then he is correct.

And if he is saying that getting tatted up on your whole body like that will decrease their changes of getting good jobs, then he is correct. It doesn't matter if it is wrong that older corporate people look down upon tattoos. The fact is that they do. And so Stephen A Smith would be correct if he said this.
I agree. You are correct about him being correct.

[jzek]

If you're a black athlete, it's required that you have a tattoo. Otherwise, you're a white muthaf*cka wannabe.

[Brokenbeat]

Meh. Tattoos on black people is like skywriting at night.

:roll:

[PsychoBe]

some people get tattoos due to depression or obsession. instead of cutting themselves they go to the tattoo parlor and the pain/stimulus of it is what they feel they "deserve" to feel.

but that is pretty rare and tattoos are only as meaningful as the person getting them. it's not inherently good or bad it all depends on the person.

[oarabbus]

Nothing wrong with getting a tattoo.

If you get a tattoo on your hands, face, or neck, and you aren't already famous and rich, then you're an idiot.

[Teanett]

the problem with smith is, hes very articulate but not very educated.
he blabbers on and on without saying anything but you gotta look the business.
that will change. he's a dork.