I know what it means. This is Greater Albuquerque, for a while number one city for the COPS show so we have gangs here too. And yes HR folks probably get schooled on that too. But historically it was not really that (symbol for murdering or membership in some of the Latino gangs). It was a mourning symbol. Just as the swastika is on display without creating apprehension in India as you know. My response was to tattoos in general and the perception that you won't get hired if you had one. My colleague is a DBA with the bushing on his ear and some noticeable ink on his arm. Hired out of college in 2001. He has been promoted too 2 pay grades since then. I was in the interview team and I was told by the HR to look past the ear-ring and ink and just grill him technically.