Graffiti art is an element of the Hip Hop culture misinterpreted and misrepresented by government and mainstream media as “destroying” property. It is most especially hated by people who only see it as vandalism, but don’t understand the roots or meaning of the writing on the walls.

Graffiti has been around for millions of years. The trend first started in New York during the 1960s and than gradually spread through out he country. It started as tagging or writing your name on a street sign. Gangs started using graffiti as a way to mark territory, however it wasn’t long before it became a fascinating art form. Graffiti seems to have inspired young artists to express themselves in a way they didn’t know possible.

It seems that there is many things that drive kids and adults alike to explore the art of graffiti. Thrill of rebellion may be one reason but others who make graffiti do it for the positivity and art behind it.
An article called “Graffiti: Art or destructive menace” by Kris Calson, Not all graffiti artists are created equal.  “Some are simply taggers their ‘art’ is nothing more than a gang sign or personal nickname scrawled across a park bench, the side of a subway car or on the wall of a privately owned building.”

Although there are many people who think of graffiti as a crime and nothing more than vandalism to our neighborhoods, a lot of people believe it is art and a way of life.

“I think it’s amazing, the fact that anyone can grab a spray can and express themselves. I think people who suck at it should stop, because that kills the game and makes good graffiti look bad.” Said sophomore Juan Garcia.
South art teacher Seexeng Lee has an honest appreciation for graffiti as an art form. “Graffiti in it’s purist essence I love. The idea of anti formal art is enticing. If I am a graffiti artist and I did a piece on a train it can reach millions of people in New York in a day,” he said.

“Over time styles (of graffiti) have evolved. Fifty years ago there was no such thing as the American graffiti we see today,” said Sophomore Kaleb Pritchard. Lee agrees, “In order for anything to remain viable change must occur, meaning that graffiti work has to change with the time and or environment.”

There is a obvious visible difference between art and gang graffiti that many people claim to identify, “For graffiti artists they are making their mark in a very public way, promoting art in under served communities or bringing something beautiful to a blighted area.” said Calson

Right here at South high we have graffiti art murals that were done by a collection of South students and local artists. English teacher at Edison high school and former Southerner advisor helped organize these murals about fourteen years ago.

“Artists will emerge from south high school also,” said Prichard, “High school is when a lot of graffiti artists get up…it is important to the Minneapolis community, because it can show a lot about a neighborhood with different styles…Graffiti is not only art, but a way of life.”