When I was younger, I wanted everyone to know me, or at least know who I was.
I attended John Tyler Elementary school in Hampton, VA, and anytime the teacher would ask the class a question, my hand would shoot up with lightning speed to the point I would be practically jumping out of my seat to respond. Having such an over-the-top reaction definitely let my classmates and teachers know who I was, and not in a good way. ☹️
Life is strangely funny. Now, as an adult, I think that we (I) still want to leave an impression on people and be recognized for our deeds in some way, just maybe not like I did in grade school which had a less than favorable reaction.
When I wrote and self-published my first (poetry) book – Live. Love. Leo., I did so to prove something to myself, create a literary legacy, and to let readers know more about me, but in a good way. Having the idea and saying that you want to write a book is easy, but making it actually happen takes commitment and a lot of work. Along the way I learned that poetry is personal, and like other types of creative self expression, some folks won’t get it. This artform was something new and different for me. That said though, I’m glad that I persevered and I’m extremely proud of the outcome. Not only did I write the words on the pages, I also curated the images too. My hope is to share this gem with everyone and have the whole world experience it.
In Portland, OR, I spend a lot of time riding transit and walking in and around downtown. This city used to be pristine by most American standards in comparison to its current state of post-pandemic dystopian dilapidation. I’m not talking about the abundance of pharmaceutically-altered humans roaming mindlessly throughout the city or the garbage covered streets, but something even more vividly “graphic” and it’s e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. I’m talking about graffiti. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a monument or the top of a high-rise building. Right now, there doesn’t appear to be any surface in the Rose City that hasn’t been spared. Yes I know, graffiti has been around for centuries, but seriously Portland, it is becoming a bit much. Some people use graffiti to be recognized, boost their brand, or mark their turf.
Downtown Portland’s historic Jackson building with its glazed terra-cotta facade, is a 12-story structure with a clock tower that has been hit, “tagged”, multiple times. Why someone would choose to do this to this building or feel the need to deface any place is beyond me. The building wasn’t tagged at its lower ground level floors but the upper spire section with the clock face was damaged. What I forgot to also mention was that the clock face is 140 feet above the street level. Some people will literally go to new heights to leave an impression, and have their work be seen.
During the social unrest of 2020, businesses in Portland (and elsewhere too) boarded up their doors, windows, and other entry points, to protect them from being targets of aggressions by protesters. Many of those surfaces became canvases for local artists to call attention to that historic moment in time by painting murals on them. These images were graphic messages created to encourage change of a broken system by highlighting social and racial injustices. Some of the muraled artwork that surrounded and protected businesses was carefully removed and preserved as part of Portland’s civic history. Other pieces were destroyed as the city began to slowly emerge and recover from the uprising.
The spread of graffiti seems to be increasing by the day. The city of Portland does offer free assistance for graffiti removal, but only if you qualify. The qualifications include anyone directly impacted by hate / gang graffiti, small business (less than 10 staff), nonprofit organizations, single-family home or condo (less than 10 units) can apply for graffiti removal assistance program.
Last year, the state of Oregon set aside funds for cleaning up graffiti on and along Portland freeways. In theory this sounds like a great idea. In reality, it was a feeble attempt at masking a more serious issue. Crews that were contracted to clean up the graffiti, used gunmetal gray paint to cover up the pigmented blemishes. Within 24 hours, several sections of the freeway that were recently repainted by work crews, only created a new opportunity for individuals who wanted to add their own creative touch to this blank palette. Graffiti on freeways and even on Portland’s famous bridges takes planning, takes intention, and takes daring but that still doesn’t and hasn’t discouraged people from leaving their mark. It also takes money, which the state fund doesn’t appear to have. I understand graffiti is a way to get attention, and like my overly excited way of responding to questions in elementary school, I think it makes people more irritated than interested.
In early August, a Seattle teenager was struck and killed by the famous downtown Seattle monorail while tagging an area near the tracks. This tragedy is sad in so many ways and the loss of a young life is just one. In the Emerald City graffiti is still illegal, but the broader acceptance of this non-traditional “art” is forcing the hand of the city when it comes to enforcement, right into a federal battle of sorts. The city is currently awaiting an appeal, against the federal court, whether it is lawful to uphold its graffiti ordinance. During this period, essentially legalizing it pending the ruling from the judge. Many people now view graffiti as a first amendment right; free speech, religion, and freedom of the press. This may be true, but I’ve always learned to respect private property. When you add your personal touch to property that is not your own and without the consent of the owner, that’s vandalism. It doesn’t matter how pretty, sick, or rad a design may be, the damage is done.
I am not trashing graffiti in terms of its creativity or even the validity of this activity, but I do disagree with the intended pallets of retaliation. Do freeway signs, storefront windows, or a person’s private residence really need to be marred out of protest, jealousy, and boredom? There has to be more productive and less destructive ways to channel frustrations and to get attention. If you’re upset with the decision about something (or someone), I encourage folks to open a dialogue and not a spray can. I don’t claim to have answers to the woes of our city (society). I am however a concerned citizen who tries to help make the place around him better for everyone through community involvement and the occasional philanthropic donation.
Our local politicians need to start saying no to half-baked solutions that waste money and further burden the hard working taxpayers. Enforcement needs to find equitable ways of holding people accountable for their actions. There are plenty of knowledgeable people out there in our built environments who know what can be done to move the livability index in a direction that helps everyone, they just need to have the opportunity. #termlimits (End of mini-rant).
Really what I want to say is that with so many forces, environmental and man-made, working to tear down our cities, can’t we find other ways to literate our disagreements without resorting to vandalizing? Paint will eventually fade, but creating conversations that bring on real change, can last a lifetime.
Judge Don't Judge...Much 