The fact of the matter is, the black skills are nonessential. Some may argue that newbies need these skills to defend themselves, which is quite preposterous. Because even if a newbie could initiate combat to defend themselves, they wouldn't have the weapon skill to win. Because they're newbies. If someone attacks them, they're already doomed. And now, since they're safer from theft, they are, indeed, positively affected.
As Vattic points out, the best thing a newbie can do for safety is to join a village.