Graffiti

I read an article today about the graffiti we all often see, the scribbling and paintings found more often in big cities. I find it unappealing and a little disrespectful to the people of the community. Placing graffiti on a public building is like spitting on the floor when visiting someone's house. I don't find it to be art as often as it is a middle finger shoved in the face of the people who have to endure the "artists" public canvass expression. Having to look at a gang emblem or slogan someone has spray painted in a sidewalk is like being forced to watch reality TV every time I turn on my TV. It is not a pleasant sight.

Anyway, the article says that graffiti complaints are on the rise across the U.S. Some cities report as much as a doubling in calls about defaced property, and that officials in large cities such as Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, as well as smaller ones such Asheville, N.C., all report increases in graffiti cleanups in the past year or more. Maybe they are fed up and won't take it anymore. I hope so. For every clever or pretty graffiti painting there are 100 awful ones.Even though the instance of graffiti is the about the same now people are noticing it more and more often demanding it be erased. We had a self appointed graffiti eraser here in New Orleans who got so carried away with painting over graffiti that he started erasing it on private property.

After some complaints by property owners about his crusade, he was arrested and a judge slapped a fine on him and ordered him to stop cleaning it.According to graffiti experts most of it is not gang related. It's a surprise to me, given I notice gang graffiti more often than other types. However, as much as 85% comes from "tagging," an outgrowth of hip-hop "culture" in which the person defacing the property leaves his or her signature. Taggers are said to be trying to rebel or get attention. I would prefer that if they need attention they just walked around with a lampshade on their heads. I would notice that even more and would not have to endure their art on a permanent basis.

Supposedly, police are catching more graffiti writers these days, using those crime cameras that spy on us and looking at web sites where the graffiti writers like to brag or display their work. Graffiti is hardly a major social problem, but it is an indication that the society is either allowing too much personal expression or is secure enough to not stop the same. There is quite a wide disparity in opinion about the worthiness of graffiti.

Hmmmmmmmm.... on one hand, only repressive societies are graffiti free. Too, some think that graffiti advertises that the residents of the area don't care and that the area will be easy to exploit. It is the harbinger of crime. Which viewpoint is correct, or perhaps it is a little of both?

Oh, please no comments that my remarks today are as worthless as most of the graffiti.