Graffiti is just pretty vandalism.

Graffiti is vandalism no matter how we at it. It can be inspirational and really push a narrative. It’s an easy way to get everyone in an area to see it and send a message out into the world. However, there are many other artistic choices they could choose. Why be involved in something that can people in legal trouble when you can simply share your message on Facebook or hand out papers on the street to “spread the word.” Frankly, I’d be annoyed and grow tired of having to constantly repaint the side of my garage because somebody wants to spray paint “VEGANZRULE” on it, and I believe many other people would too.

“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.” (“Is Graffiti Art?” Steve Dolan). Nobody wants to wake up one morning, be already running late, then realize somebody put a bunch of genitalia on the side of their car. Yes, there are some aesthetically pleasing pieces of graffiti that do genuinely look nice, but most of the time I’ve seen some raunchy and immature pieces done.

Imagine this. You’re CEO of a big company, the big boss. You want to impress the clientele and crush the competition. You’ve spent hundreds on big build boards but guess what? All your advertisements don’t even matter anymore because someone decided to vandalize them.

“Although its artistic merits can’t be denied, graffiti is still in fact a form of vandalism. Artists tag both
public and private property, which becomes costly for taxpayers and business and property owners.”
(“Graffiti as Vandalism” Steve Dolan). The cost of spray paint removal can be $5.56 – $10.74 per square foot. Graffiti is disturbing property that isn’t your own, whether it be public or private. More often than not, most people just get annoyed with graffiti. It can become a hassle to deal with and often done with ill-intent. Sure, sometimes it looks pretty but it’s still destruction of property.

Featured Image: “Loser Mobile Vandal Graffiti, Hollywood” by Tim-desser is marked with CC0 1.0.