DIVERGENT CORNER

About this time last year, an oyibo colleague tried to convince me to go get a tattoo. Apparently he’s been thinking of getting tattoos himself for years but either kept procrastinating or never found the courage to actually get it over with, So he needed a wing man, a source of encouragement 😅

He, and others tried to get me to imagine how tattoos would look great on me, an image I’d imagined since childhood.

I told him there’s no way he will convince me to scribble an indelible mark on my skin. Not because of religion, or fear of being judged, and definitely not because I dislike the art. In fact, on the contrary, I am fascinated by tattoos. I’ve seen the awesome stuff on the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Memphis Delay etc and it looks breathtaking.

As for me, I live by a Minimalist code, it is almost a personality trait, a personal fashion choice. It’s why you will never see me wear any dramatic outfits or accessories other than a black wrist watch. In my head, life is already complicated enough as it is, adding permanent artwork to my skin feels like unnecessary chaos. I am neither a celeb nor a model, no need to make myself look like one.

Secondly, being a black man, the idea of black ink on an already dark skin never really made any sense to me. I don’t think tattoos are for black people. If anyone have to squint or strain their eyes to appreciate the art, then what exactly is the point? 🤷🤷

And finally, the scientist in me refused to cooperate. The thing that will leave a permanent mark on my skin haven’t been invented yet. I prefer keeping my options open. They may come up with something better in future 🤣After all my explanation, he said he is inspired by the certainty behind my reasoning. I ruined tattoos for him, but in a good way 🤣🤣