Griffiti Tags and the Decline of Neighborhoods
There are three forms of Graffiti:
- As Art.
In some communities, permission and a special place is given for local graffiti artists to express themselves artistically. Where no permission is given it is considered and is in fact vandalism. The UN building pictured here is what it would eventually have looked like had not Rudy Giuliani put an end to the failed administration of Mayor David Dinkins.
- As literal expression.
Examples here would be "John loves Mary" carved into wood benches or sprayed on walls; political slogans such as "Caesar is doing to Rome what he does to Livinia"; profanities examples of which need no iteration; and even quotations from famous authors.
- As Tags.
This is simply the equivalent of dogs pissing on a rock to mark their presence in an area. what is most desirable to the tagger is to have his initials or handle displayed over or alongside that of others.
PetPlace.com, Urine Marking
You may have noticed that male dogs, on reaching a previously urine-marked landmark, will often attempt to cover over the urine marks of previous canine visitors with their own urine. In so doing, they sometimes engage in some quite amusing acrobatics, including the reverse handstand sometimes displayed by little dogs when attempting to over-mark lofty scent marks left by larger dogs.
Although we could discuss the value of graffiti drawings or the usefulness of political sloganeering, there is no doubt that tagging is vandalism without any redeeming social purpose. There are serial rapists and killers in the world who love nothing better than to carve their initials on their victims, but we have the sense not to excuse that behavior by saying that it is a form of artistic expression.
Nothing kills a city like neglect. As Rudy Giuliani said regarding graffiti, "A city tainted by vandalism invites more vandalism and more serious crime because it sends the message that the city doesn't care and isn't paying attention."
I live in Bayonne, New Jersey, and parts of this city, especially those near section 8 housing are starting to look like New York during Dinkins' reign.
Here are just some examples, click on images for larger view.
Tagging, if not vigorously removed and the authors arrested, will quickly overtake a city like unchecked weeds. Here is what graffiti tagged walls eventually descend into:
If the video doesn't show click here.
Photos Credit: Scott Y of Bayonne
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