“Graffiti: Art or Nuisance”

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think graffiti “art” attracts so many different types of people?
I think graffiti attracts so many different types of people because everyone has different types of view, some may like it and some don’t, some people like tags others may like throws, etching or bombing. Everyone likes different things and it doesn’t necessarily attract teenagers only there are also older person that may look at it as “art”.
2. Why do businesses oppose the application of fines for not cleaning up graffiti? Do you think this is a fair measure?
I think that businesses oppose the application of fines for cleaning up graffiti because if they were to clean every spot that has graffiti the next day the graffiti would most likely appear again, and is not under their control to stop graffiti. Cleaning it can be very expensive. I don’t think is a fair measurement since is not under their control to stop graffiti and even if they clean it, it would be there again the next day, it is expensive to take it out, therefore it shouldn’t be no ones responsibility to clean it but the government.
3. Discuss the “broken window theory”, which has played an enormous role in the way New York City confronts urban decline. Do you find this theory convincing?
The “broken window theory” is a theory that says for example, if there is a building and a window is broken and the owner doesn’t fix it right away people would most likely think that no body cares about the building, therefore all the windows would be broken. I do find this theory convincing, but this theory is about windows, if someone was to break a window someone could get hurt, but when you do graffiti is a way to express your self and it could also be classified as art.
4. Why does Monserrate call graffiti artist “vandals”? Do you agree with his assessment?
Monserrate called graffiti artist “vandals” because he thinks graffiti is a way for gangs to communicate with each other and if graffiti is enforced that gangs will also be enforced which would mean that violence will be created. I don’t agree with his assessment because not everyone that does graffiti is gang related, for people it might be a way to express themselves. To be heard.
5. How do you think the graffiti problem should be handled?
I think the graffiti “problem” is not going to be able to be stopped; it’s been existing for a long time and many had tried to stop it. Many generations are seeing graffiti as an art and with time is becoming more popular. This would mean that it could appear in more places and the “problem” wouldn’t be solved.