Graffiti is defined as writing or drawings illegally scribbled, scratched or sprayed on a wall or other surface in a public place. The dictionary definition uses the word illicit, which means that it is not permitted or is illegal. This singular word leads the general public to believe that it should not be allowed. Before people even fully understand the concept of graffiti, it has been decided for them whether it should be legal or not. Graffiti is a form of art, although some people may not like it, and it should be widely accepted. Our perception of graffiti has been altered by the media, but challenges negative stereotypes and social norms. Graffiti should be legalized because it helps people express themselves without violence and builds community and character. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Graffiti is usually seen considering the broken window theory. The broken window theory states that once disorder and chaos begin, things spiral out of control no matter where they occur. In Justifying Graffiti: (Re)Defining Societal Codes through Orders of Worth, Eyck explains how the media neglects to share the benefits of graffiti. “You are much more likely to find examples of news stories linking graffiti to crime than stories of graffiti being used to build community, a legacy of the broken window theory that has been part of graffiti coverage since at least the 1980s.” The media is a powerful tool and with enough visibility and the same message bombarding someone, people tend to influence their opinions on how it is portrayed in the mass media. Where in America graffiti is described as something negative, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, many street artists – also known as writers – use their pieces for social development and the betterment of communities. According to Ferro in “Can Graffiti Be Good for Cities?”, writers work alongside the police to paint murals in run-down areas. They bring tourists by hosting large events and festivals. You rarely, if ever, see stories like this broadcast in the media in the United States as news outlets constantly vilify writers and their pieces. Even though most of the time people read graffiti in a negative light, there are always some exceptions to every rule. Banksy is a famous anonymous English writer whose works are usually political and satirical with a touch of dark humor. People tend to associate a writer's worth with what their art depicts and how it aligns with their ideals. Recently, Banksy has become more popular among general media due to his social and political messages. Banksy and other writers have changed people's perceptions of the meaning of graffiti and how it affects them. Some might think that graffiti leads to lower property values ​​and less traffic drawing customers to businesses, yet the writers have begun to gather fans. This widespread appreciation of street art has led others to think that it conveys a creative aesthetic that attracts people to spend their money or build a home there. People also generally believe that what benefits the community is of higher value than what benefits the individual as described by Eyck. Banksy's stencils are worth thousands of dollars, yet American artists are treated like criminals while artists from other countries are venerated. The general public tends to assume that graffiti is a sign of gang activity. More than ninety percentSome graffiti is created by people who have no gang affiliations and is mostly created by children and adolescents (aged twelve to nineteen). In fact, a survey conducted by CBS News shows that sixty-six percent of people between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four believe that graffiti is a legitimate art form. Conversely, as the age range increased to the elderly, the number decreased. About 23% of seniors (over the age of sixty-five) say graffiti is art. In states such as Nevada, an artist can be charged with up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In California, fines reach up to 50 thousand dollars. What kind of world do we live in where it's okay to empower people to express themselves and make communities more beautiful? Graffiti and writers are constantly demonized in America. Graffiti challenges negative stereotypes. In Colorado, writers created a program called “Granny Does Graffiti.” This program helps people with dementia express how they feel. It aims to challenge negative stereotypes surrounding the abilities of people with dementia. In this program, people who participate created their own tags. Tags are personalized artistic signatures for writers. They used shapes, symbols and colors to express who they are. They created a mural in their community that helped them feel a sense of social inclusion that is usually overlooked. This event illustrates how “an often misunderstood art form can be used to raise the awareness of an often misunderstood population” (Hicks 815). Research on this program has demonstrated the benefits of graffiti in helping marginalized communities express who they are, as well as confronting and informing others about the stigmas associated with mental health conditions. In Portugal, older people participated in graffiti workshops. They were taught how to create their own tags. They were guided on how to create these tags so they could express their identity and be able to display it on public walls to “claim an element of their community”. During the late 1990s it was not uncommon for writers to be harassed by Brazilian police. Today, however, many of these same officials recognize the importance of this art form and the fact that it helps make cities more beautiful. They realize that it offers a career opportunity to young people from low-income neighborhoods. As Olivero eloquently states in Graffiti Is a Public Good Even as It Challenges the Law, “The growth of graffiti in Brazil, and its role in challenging the status quo, demonstrates the power of art and its ability to create dialogue.” Historically, writers were kids from poor neighborhoods, working-class families, who didn't have resources. For them, the city has become their canvas. Graffiti is an important part of the city's ecology and how one person relates to another and their environment. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Graffiti should be legalized for the betterment of communities. Help minority groups and marginalized communities express themselves. Graffiti should not be judged based on predetermined definitions from generations before us. It should not only be good for a select few, but should be encouraged for all people around the world. Works CitedEyck, T. L. (2016). Justifying graffiti: (re)defining social codes through value orders. The Sociological Quarterly, 57(3), 450–474. Ferro, S. (2018, July 26). Can graffiti be good for cities? CityLab., 23(4), 483–492.