Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Teaching the Art of Graffiti

Graffiti is an act that we cannot shelter from the youth of America. Many children live in areas with a prevalent display of graffiti. In most cases this graffiti is committed by the older children of the neighborhood, often causing the younger children to look to graffiti with a sense of awe.

If this act of vandalism is never explained to the youth of the community, this act will only continue through the generations. Teachers need to acknowledge this issue, they need to take this sense of wonderment, the children see within the act of graffiti, and turn it into something positive. Teachers need to explain to the children what could happen if they get caught vandalizing, as well as how much time, effort, and money is put into the removal of this graffiti.

If the teachers give students the ability to express this creativity in a safe and legal way, while still allowing them the full satisfaction of fully expressing themselves through an art form, the act of graffiti as a form of vandalism will most likely decrease.

In having the students get involved with an art form that interests them, the students gain a sense of connection with the teacher. With this connection the students grow to trust the teacher, thus they listen to what the teacher has to say. With that, if the teacher discourages against the act of vandalism, even if it may be a form taught within the classroom, the students will most likely adhere to what the teacher has to say, rather than follow the unruly lifestyle of those that vandalize.

(CBS, 2011)
 
If kids are never taught the affects of vandalism and the difference between graffiti as an art form, and as a form of vandalism, then this act will only continue to occur. Someone, preferably teachers, need to show the youth that they can take this art form off the streets and into museums. These artists need to be taught that they can get recognition for their work, possibly even turning this illegal act into a legitimate career.
 
 
References:
 
CBS.(2011). Graffiti: Art or Vandalism? CBS. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Eu2na_diY



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