What defines graffiti? Graffiti is described as any form of writing on any surface. In that case, would drawings made by cave men be classified as graffiti? If so, what distinguishes them from modern graffiti that alters the world’s perception of it? Why is graffiti illegal? Is graffiti a form of art? Can something classified as art disregard the law and others’ property? The definition of graffiti is: graffito n. pl. graffiti – Usage Problem 1.
Graffiti, often seen in plural form, refers to a drawing or inscription on a public surface. The word derives from the Italian diminutive of graffio, meaning “scratching” or “scribble,” which comes from graffiare and graphire, meaning to scratch or write with a stylus respectively. Graffiti can be used as both singular and plural nouns. The more common form is graffiti, based on the Italian plural. However, when referring to a specific inscription, graffito is etymologically correct but may seem pedantic outside of an archaeological context.
Graffiti is commonly used as a singular noun when referring to inscriptions in general or the larger social phenomenon. For example, the sentence “Graffiti is a major problem for the Transit Authority Police” cannot be reworded as “Graffito is” or “Graffiti are.” The use of graffiti as a singular noun is justified due to its utility and widespread usage.
It’s worth noting that graffiti interests many because it can be found everywhere; however, some people either do not notice it or do not care about it.
Throughout history, graffiti has persisted; nonetheless, only a minority have taken action to prevent its occurrence. Personally, I have witnessed graffiti in various locations.
Various locations, such as bridges, buildings, bathrooms, school desks, trains, and tractor trailers, serve as canvases for graffiti. Although some people perceive graffiti as art, I struggle to understand how the defacement of someone’s property can be regarded as artistic. Nonetheless, there are web pages and books that exhibit graffiti as an art form. Moreover, a specific book delves into graffiti as a means of gaining insight into individuals’ thoughts. The author suggests that much of history has been chronicled through the lens of the ruling classes; documenting graffiti could provide a glimpse into the emotions of ordinary individuals.
Graffiti has various social effects, especially when it is widespread in a town. The existence of graffiti often implies that the town is home to individuals from a lower socioeconomic background. This perception greatly influences the types of people who choose to move into the town. Typically, those attracted to such a place are either individuals who actively contribute to graffiti or individuals who are indifferent to its impact on the town’s appearance and thus do not take any steps to address it.
When a town already looks undesirable due to graffiti, it provides an excuse for people to engage in more acts of vandalism. The nature of graffiti makes it a challenging social problem as it tends to grow until conventional methods become ineffective in dealing with it.
If graffiti is left unattended, vandals interpret it as a sign that no one cares about its presence, thereby increasing the likelihood of more acts of graffiti being committed. This mirrors sociologist Nathaniel Glazer’s broken window theory, which suggests that if one broken window remains unrepaired, other windows in the building will soon follow suit. The presence of one neglected window indicates neglect and encourages further vandalism without consequences.
Economically, graffiti can have severe consequences as it leads to a significant decline in property values, resulting in a decrease in people’s interest in renting or purchasing houses in the affected neighborhood. The prevalence of graffiti gives the impression that the town is deteriorating, discouraging individuals from relocating there. Consequently, people would seek homes in alternative areas, leading local businesses to suffer financial losses. These financial setbacks may push businesses towards bankruptcy and force them to explore new locations for operations, ultimately resulting in the complete abandonment of the town.
Douglas Barmore Throughout my life, I have participated in many instances of graffiti. Some of these acts were consciously acknowledged as graffiti, while others were not. I remember a situation in school where another student and I would exchange messages on a desktop during different class periods. At the time, I didn’t realize this was classified as graffiti, although I knew it was inappropriate. It’s important to recognize that graffiti can take on various forms and sometimes go unnoticed.
I believe that most acts of graffiti stem from a desire for recognition and territorial behaviors, which is a sentiment shared by many. In my teenage years, I used to go with my friends under the bridge near my house and use stolen paint to create inappropriate images. Our goal was to “tag” the bridge as a way to establish our ownership of it. Since most people in the town ignored our actions, we continued without facing any consequences.
However, one day we discovered that someone had covered up our graffiti. In response, we retaliated by creating even more graffiti that pushed the boundaries of decency. Our actions were driven by our need to assert our ownership of the bridge.
These beliefs are not unique to me; anti-graffiti organizations also recognize this phenomenon. To combat graffiti, they have learned that simply removing it once is not enough; it must be consistently removed within 48 hours. This lack of prompt action is why graffiti has persisted throughout history and across the world.
Graffiti remains widespread worldwide because individuals lack commitment in fighting against it.
One interesting approach to combating graffiti that I particularly admire is Operation Clean Slate (OCS), which originated in Costa Mesa, California. This initiative was established in response to the city’s severe graffiti problem. Inspired by the sight of the rampant graffiti, a man named Michael Howard spearheaded Operation Clean Slate. The concept behind this endeavor was ingenious – using graffiti itself to thwart graffiti artists. Howard enlisted volunteers who painted murals over areas that had been defaced with graffiti. One notable success story involves an engine parts repair shop. Prior to the mural being created, the shop was regularly targeted by graffiti vandals. However, since the mural’s completion, it has remained untouched for a remarkable span of three years. I am truly impressed by this accomplishment.
Through this report, I have gained knowledge about the harmful effects of graffiti and effective strategies to counter it. Additionally, I have become aware of various ways in which graffiti can masquerade itself, enabling me to prevent any future involvement in such acts.
