Graffiti should be considered art because it shows off the amazing talent of the people who paint them. Every artist has their own individual approach to their work. Graffiti is an expression of the individual artist. When artists add their “tag”name or pseudonym to a building with graffiti, they are sharing a piece of themselves with that building and community. The fact that these artists want to share their work with their town says a lot. Their work captivates the community spirit, giving local artists and performers a chance to showcase their work.

 In conclusion, Graffiti has the power to transform a space from something uninspired to something completely original. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful, it also makes people aware of their surroundings and showcase areas that are perceived as ordinary into something more. Graffiti is accessible art. It should be allowed because it truly works as a positive form of self-expression, shows off the artwork of local artists, and attracts tourists from all over the world to see the beautiful artwork. It is evident that graffiti is a work of art that is taken for granted by many. It is not vandalism.

Graffiti is “an action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.”  Graffiti may be pretty or have positive messages. That is irrelevant when looking at what it still is. Illegal. Whether it is pretty or not, graffiti is against the law. A person who is caught in the act of graffiti gets charged with vandalism, fined, and given community service during which they help clean up graffiti.

Anyone who glorifies graffiti needs to answer one question for themselves. If your home was daubed with graffiti during the night without your consent, would you welcome the new addition to your decor?  Or would you immediately call a painter and the police?  Two fundamental rights are in conflict with each other when it comes to graffiti. The courts must weigh the freedom of expression against the right to own property. Graffiti is vandalism because it involves deliberate destruction or damage to public or private property, it costs property owners a lot of money to have it removed, and is not always pretty and inspirational. 

Graffiti should be considered vandalism as building owners often have to foot the bill to have it removed.  Studies have shown that some cities have a price tag of over $500 million to remove unwanted graffiti across the city in a single year. This is outrageous for a city to have to pay. Think about your small business owners who don’t have the same resources to spend on cleaning unwanted graffiti off their buildings. It can also deter customers, which causes the business owners to lose money as well.

 Lastly, it can be argued that some graffiti is “pretty” and “adds character” to a city; however, not all graffiti is pretty and appropriate. Sometimes graffiti uses foul language, works as a form of propaganda, and in some cases can discriminate or advertise hatred. It is easy to want to call the beautiful and inspirational graffiti art, but what about the artwork that is hateful and more of an eyesore?  The law cannot approve some graffiti and call some illegal. There must be one law for all to abide.