Tattoos

Tattoo Who?

That's the teasing question above a changing set of tattoo images, challenging the viewer to identify the rollergirl to whom it belongs. This quiz appears on the official site of the Rat City Rollergirls (Seattle Washington). But like a multiple choice test where all the answers are right, turns out these colorful images are all inked onto one woman!

So is there disproportiately more ink in the world of roller derby? Well, maybe. A quick roller derby web tour does reveal some marked women, but it's hard to say how they measure up to, say, a group of biker babes.

A tattoo site claims that roller derby women not only have a "taste for blood, but many have a taste for high quality tattoo work." A feature article by Dale Rio in Skin & Ink webzine agrees and offers this philosophy:

As an underground sport, roller derby tends to attract not only accomplished skaters, but girls who haven't necessarily skated since they were kids and are attracted to the rough and sexy image of the sport. Where else can you get a serious workout, rough up a bunch of your closest friends and look hot while doing it? With such a draw, it's not surprising that a lot of the girls are tattooed...

The article includes some impressive, if not scary, tattoo photos.

Will someone explain to me the appeal of the tattoo? To call attention? To rebel? To be different? But tattoos are now so common. Shaved heads, spiked hair, wild hair dyes - all are temporary and can be changed with a new mood. But tattoos (and piercings) are so permanent.

Yes, I know. Body art is a century-old practice. Warriors of many cultures painted themselves before battle. The Egyptians applied permanent eye make-up.

But when I see a cute little butterfly tattooed onto a flat tight abdomen, I can't help but imagine its monstrous & distorted wingspan when that belly is nine months pregnant. Or how will that sexy rose on the breast look years from now surrounded by stretch marks? These are mom thoughts.

I understand the desire to decorate ourselves. Clothing and jewelry work well for that. Permanent tattoos just make it so difficult if ever a time comes to re-decorate!

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Photo by Kat Deem