Graffiti and art do not go together

Graffiti is not art most of the time there is not a meaning behind it and the owner never gave permission in the first place, in other words it’s just straight up vandalism and straight out crime that means jail time for something so simple which is not okay, I believe those who put graffiti on a wall anywhere that’s prohibited should face consequences, a quotation that has helps my claim is, “If it wasn’t for the fact that most graffiti is placed on private property without the owner’s permission, then it might be more recognized as a legitimate form of art. Most graffiti art, however, is only an annoyance to the property owner, who is more likely to paint over it or remove it than applaud its artistic merit.”(Dolan) This is providing an example of how graffiti can be annoying to the owner of property, which will get them mad eventually at the owner of property, thus involving law enforcement.”

Graffiti is an outright crime, and it can even raise crime statistics in an area simply because you think you are spreading good word, crazy right? you may ask yourself, how can something so easy be so deadly, well, let me inform you, vandalism is a huge part of graffiti, and where does graffiti begin? all of this takes its first step with a teenager deciding to make his or her statement by doing what he or she thinks is “harmless,” but what these teens don’t know is that graffiti can take them down a long, dark path, Simply because these kids chose to pick up that can of graffiti. And at the end of all this graffiti, all it does is break outright laws and doesn’t affect the environment one bit. This has proof to support what’s been said as well, “Public disorder crimes, such as littering and loitering and other forms of property destruction are sometimes related to graffiti crimes. Most taggers are males between 15 and 23, there is the concern that tagging may be a “gateway crime” and may lead young offenders to more serious or dangerous crimes such as truancy and drug and alcohol use.”(Line 4) one instance of graffiti’s deadliness is when young teens vandalize memorials so they can “try and make their statement,” and end up with them in jail and their whole life in and out of that type of environment.

One argument you may attempt to make is graffiti is not an illegal act and does not deserve to be punished. This, however, is providing it is at the right time and in the right place and yes, graffiti has its time and place, but I think those responsible for graffiti should apply those same skills towards something that does not deteriorate the area and environment, but rather apply those skills towards something that may not be so harmful and may be of some assistance.

In conclusion, I believe graffiti is a crime, it all starts with a paint can and can end up with a life of crime and be a gateway to something worse, so why not stop while you’re ahead?

“New grafitti” by PelGren is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.