Art or Vandalism?

Graffiti is all over the world, from a beautiful mural on the tallest building in New York, to a simple scribble of a name on a sidewalk in Tokyo, its everywhere. Graffiti is used all over the world for so many different reasons. For example, Cape Town, a small city in South Africa, first started to use graffiti as a political weapon against there government. Using graffiti statements such as "Free Mandela" (former South African president) were strong statements expressing their political views. I think it’s incredible how they used art to fight against their own government. Rather than using violent acts they used graffiti as a nonviolent way of getting their point through. It reminds me of the teachings of Martin Luther King and Gandhi of using nonviolent actions to stand up for something they believe in. later, the political weapon turned into, as they put it, a “luxury sport.” It amazes me how people who worry about where their next meal will come from feel so strongly about expressing themselves that they would rather invest in a spray can instead of a meal. Graffiti art brings culture and allows young people to express themselves. It’s a way of freeing themselves from the civilization that to them is black and white. Although graffiti does serve as a way of expressing yourself, there is a lot of controversy surrounding whether it is really art or vandalism. In my opinion, it’s all about the way you use it. If graffiti is used to give the world a little color, and add a little spirit to this growing corporate world, then that is awesome. More power to those artists! But if it is used to dis rival gangs, then is that acceptable? The violence affiliated with this art is what gives it a negative connotation. But despite the negative affiliation graffiti has it is still art. That is my take in this situation. Art comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Lets accept it. What do you say?