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Brad Elliott
Mr. Hackney
English 101: Rhetoric
1 December 2014
Graffiti: Vandalism or Art?
Digging back to the very roots of hip hop (and not the gangster rap, scantilous women,
and use of drugs and weapons), one may find what began the very genre of music. It was the
physical (breakdancing), verbal (emceeing), rhythmic (turntablism), and visual (artistry)
expression that started not only the music, but the culture. Specifically, graffiti is the expression
of ones inner creativity, but is looked down upon for obvious reasons due to its illegality.
Regardless, graffiti runs deeper than merely defacing properties; it may be seen as a true art
form. All across the country, city to city, beauty can be found in the simplest things. Everything
is a canvas, and it only takes a striving artist to realize it. The artistry in younger generations can
be expressed through the use of graffiti. Although the media portrays graffiti poorly and older
generations view it as vandalism, younger generations should continue to positively use it as a
form of expression and recognition.
Modern media, social class, and authority suppress the youths ability to speak freely.
Verbally, they are unable to express themselves because they are too busy conforming under
societys rules. Although I understand that it is evident that graffiti is frowned upon, I believe
that children should continue expressing themselves through the art form with positive vibes and
messages. Graffiti was created for the artists of the streets, the ones who wanted to show the
world what they were capable of doing. All graffiti artists start out with no name, no face, and no
recognition. Most artists are never noticed, but their work is seen and heard by all. Lady Pink, an

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artist and muralist well known in the graffiti community, says that she would rather see the
creative outpouring of our youth on the walls instead of the billboards and advertising inflicted
upon us around every corner (Pink). In other words, Pink encourages the art form because she
would rather be surrounded with beautiful paintings rather than fast food ads on the sides of
buildings. Advertisements, corporations, and media companies have such a large impact in our
lives as their images lie in the background when we travel. As humans, we see advertisements
every time we go out, leaving Lady Pink to argue that the media is taking away from childrens
youth and creativity. Though it can be seen that graffiti may be used in a positive manner of
expression, many people maintain that graffiti is simply vandalism, or in other words, illegal.
Although I grant that even supporters of graffiti would never want their own property to
be tagged, I still maintain that graffiti is acceptable when used in a proper and expressive
manner. People such as Heather MacDonald, an editor for City Journal, believe that graffitis
most salient characteristic is that it is a crime (Macdonald). This is untrue. The most important
characteristic of graffiti is the element of expressionism that intermixes with the artistry in
bright, young individuals. Graffiti accusers, such as MacDonald, almost always look merely at
the surface of the subject: the monetary repercussions paired with unprofessional appearance.
They categorize all graffiti into one unlawful group, that only serves as a hindrance to
communities. This is also untrue because graffiti has two distinct types of painting.
In graffiti, there is bombing and there is burning as Eric Felisbret, author of Graffiti
New York, explains. He states that in bombing, which is volume based...writers [aim] to tag
as many places as possible (Felisbret). It is from bombing where opposers to the art form
derive their misconceptions. Often related to gangs, territory marking, and just plain foolishness,
bombing created a bad rap for the graffiti art form. There is no passion nor thought put into

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this category of graffiti, rather it is used to mark a territory or be funny among a group of friends.
Then there is burning, which is an artistic enterprise according to Felisbret (Felisbret).
Burning is where true artistry is brought to life. Grand murals are created through the abstract
art of burning. Especially emphasized in the youth, where creativity is much more profound,
the mind wanders to create some of the greatest works the art community may ever see. It is this
form of graffiti that provides such praise and recognition toward the art form. Burning is the
moment that the vandalism of graffiti turns to art. The unique expressionistic quality viewed
within the paintings is what makes the seemingly ignorant portraits art. And due to the changing
perceptions of street art, graffiti is much more acceptable nowadays.
Thirty years ago hip-hop music was labeled noise, and graffiti will follow the same
trajectory (Olivero). Officers who once despised the vandalism now understand and support the
graffiti burning community as it aids in city beautification, as a crime deterrent, and
provides a career opportunity for youth in low-income neighborhoods (Olivero). Lu Oliveros
point is that communities are supporting graffiti as a positive art form, as long as it is represented
this way. This means that it may beautify rundown areas of cities which no longer thrive, but
only if everybody is behind the value which its message carries. In other words, we must expel
gangs use of graffiti as turf warnings and intimidation, so that cities can get behind the
movement and create momentum with the positivity of the art. Some cities, such as Rio de
Janeiro, have made graffiti legal on non-historic structures (Olivero), while others work to
create and preserve legal venues (Felisbret). Felisbret is insisting that cities are supporting the
movement so that young individuals have a positive, legal opportunity to express themselves in
an artistic manner. Officials now understand that graffiti isnt always vandalism if there is value
in the art and message produced.

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Ultimately, what is at stake here are the lives and freedoms of young individuals all
across the world. Graffiti is not merely vandalism when the message and the medium carry
value: that is when it becomes art (Olivero). The youths positive expression through this art
form is often overshadowed by gang related activities and the illegal aspect of it. I believe the
fact that graffiti is illegal proves the enormity of younger generations desperation to be heard. It
is a freedom of expression, and with canvases so readily available, teens are just screaming for
the attention that they need. Though graffiti comes with no name, no recognition, and most of the
time no monetary profit, it provides self-accomplishment and confidence knowing that one
elaborate painting will be seen by a multitude of travelers. Graffiti gives hope to the youth, and
makes them feel as though they can make a difference.

Works Cited
Felisbret, Eric. "Legal Venues Celebrate Graffiti as an Art Form." Room for
Debate. The New York Times, 16 July 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
Lady Pink. "Graffiti Is Young, Cool, Creative - Let It Happen." Room for Debate.
The New York Times, 11 July 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.

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MacDonald, Heather. "It's Always Vandalism." Room for Debate. The New York
Times, 16 July 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
Olivero, Lu. "Graffiti Is a Public Good, Even As It Challenges the Law." Room
for Debate. The New York Times, 11 July 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.