Week 7: graffiti

 Charles “Chaz” Bojorquez tackles the stigmas that constantly come with graffiti artists. They are often all labeled as gang affiliated, vandalizers, or simply just “not artists.” Growing up in Los Angeles, I have constantly been surrounded by graffiti. Many of it in my neighborhood of North Long Beach was gang affiliated tags. However, on the flip side of it all, there is a world of artistry and creativity that is often overlooked when people think of graffiti. Charles “Chaz” Bojorquez challenges this categorization by delving into his own identity surrounding graffiti.

 

Graffiti, in this essay, is more about finding yourself through the art. These artists are demanding and taking space with no boundaries. They are carving out a piece of land essentially, and claiming it for their creativity. It also comes as a place of pride for your heritage. Mexican Americans in Los Angeles used it to write down their names and ignite a sense of pride for their Chicano roots. I was also surprised that Bojorquez noted that it’s not just lower education folks doing graffiti. Many people with higher education degrees are also taking up tagging as a hobby and a way to express themselves. Another more recent development is that graffiti has been taken into the mainstream recently. Whereas in the 20^th century tagging was generally taboo and noted as thug activity, in recent years it has been featured in music videos, magazines, and on clothes. 

 

In conclusion, graffiti is much more than vandalizing property. It is a form of art that unfortunately villainized in most communities. However, this stigma has more recently been taking a turn for the better. It is being recognized as a cultural and creative outlet for many who partake, and has even taken a step into the mainstream world of art. Who knows what will happen to graffiti in the next decade!