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JOSHUA BLEIWEISS Reporter @JoshuaReporter

Since the beginning of graffiti existence, the form has evolved from simple scratches into elaborate, colorful and stylish pieces of painted art on walls that you see today. Because of how normal and iconic the art form is, it should become legalized.

While many see graffiti as ugly and horrible, it is an important form of art that should be recognized and appreciated worldwide, not just in the United States.

In the New York Times opinion piece, “Graffiti Is a Public Good, Even As It Challenges the Law,” director Lu Olivero compared graffiti to hip hop, writing that the social view around it will soon change.

Throughout the world, there are many places where graffiti is already legal. From Queens to Warsaw, from Taiwan to Paris, from Venice, Calif. all the way to Melbourne, cities have started to recognize the beauty and magnificence of street art and how it impacts the urban environment in positive ways.

In the Huffington Post article, “Graffiti Can Actually Be A Good Thing For Cities,” Cameron Keady spoke to journalist and photographer Patrick Verel, who compiled information that helped show how graffiti can make a positive impact. jbleiweiss.roundupnews@gmail.com discussed, it would only benefit the community during the day, which leaves night students and resources lacking yet again. newsroom.roundupnews@gmail.com

“When one of these graffiti murals comes together, you get the best of both worlds: jaw-dropping artistic talent from men and women who’ve in many cases honed their craft for decades, and partnerships between them and local property owners that will outlast the very art they’re creating,” Verel said.

Venice Beach is known for its interesting and fun pieces of street art, all of which are fully legal. Once an artist receives a permit, they can paint on the beach, as tourists come by to see how artists are working to make the public perception of street art a positive ideology.

Street art is made by people from all over the world, from all walks of life and age. It is an inclusive medium that anybody can join with the right tools, to make their own mark on their city.

Art is incredibly important as it brings a positive impact on people and communities. It has managed to stay alive for years and resulted in artists being recognized as icons.

The vibrancy of colors that street art and graffiti bring to the streets, can make people feel happy and alive.

As graffiti continues to be loved by many, it is one step closer to becoming legalized.

The demand for day classes may be higher, but there are dozens offered at night, and those students should have the ability to be a part of the Pierce community as well. There aren’t any clubs that have night meetings, keeping some students from joining and being active in an organization.

Why should students that can only attend at night be considered less important than those who attend during traditional school hours?

GLORIA LEILA BECERRA Reporter @gloriab75636814

Expression, beauty, and creativity are often seen in artwork which can be found on a piece of paper, canvas or a public mural. Though when illegible sketched words begin to show up on public and private property, it turns into illegal graffiti, not your typical form of “beautiful” art.

Graffiti is an ugly, damaging crime as well as vandalism. And it should stay illegal.

Today in society, specifically in downtown Los Angeles, one will regularly come across sightings of gang names or inappropriate language drawn on a public seat in a Metro bus or on a public restroom stall at McDonald’s.

According to the article, “LA scrubs away 30 million square feet of graffiti each year,” published by radio station, 89.3 KPCC, author Aaron Mendelson writes that the cost to remove graffiti is continuously increasing.

“LA spends about $7 million per year dealing with graffiti, a price tag the city sees as a bargain but that others argue could be better spent elsewhere,” Mendelson wrote.

Students pay an $11 health fee semesterly, which grants unlimited access to the Pierce College Health Center.

“People with depression might not acknowledge that they’re struggling. Lack of awareness about symptoms of depression can cause people to consider their feelings normal or dismiss them as a time-limited struggle,” according to PSYCOM.

People experiencing depression don't always understand what is causing them to feel down.

People who might have friends with any symptoms should encourage them to seek help, and to let them know people are there for them.

newly renovate their public restrooms. These fixes don't last very long thanks to “818” being sketched onto the toilet paper holders. Because of graffiti, the business owner’s money has been wasted.

Another act of destruction is graffiti found on homeowner’s properties.

A friend of mine recently moved into a newly built home and the very first week of living there, a tagger scribbled an illegible name on the mailbox. Since then, she's seen multiple sketches on many of her neighbors’ homes.

Graffiti instantly adds a touch of unpolished damage to a neighborhood, making it trashy.

Legalizing the destruction of a well kept home, public restroom or a playground at a park is as dumb as allowing murderers to commit manslaughter without any penalty. Graffiti is a crime that deserves no justice.

Many people may vouch for graffiti, claiming it’s a form of expression, art, or that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but graffiti is an act of ugly destruction. Art is a Pablo Picasso piece found at the Getty Villa, not a cartoon figure drawn on the back of a stop sign.

There is no fair point in destroying property by drawing graffiti. Graffiti is draining the city, business owners and private homeowners of their money.

Think about franchises that

Cartoonist: gbecerra.roundupnews@gmail.com

Instead of vandalizing the random walls around the city, why not just take a simple art class in order to express yourself? *For decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.