Negative Essay On Graffiti

969 Words2 Pages

Every time we flip open a newspaper, there are articles which relate to someone getting arrested or getting fined due to their derogatory remarks or actions. These articles spark huge debates as the definition of right and wrong is sometimes ambiguous due to freedom of speech. Freedom of speech, which is the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint, is a popular topic these days, especially with social media making it so easy to voice our opinions. Although this allows many people to say their inner thoughts, knowing that they would not get in trouble, this power may come with consequences and therefore, I do not think that freedom of speech should be protected at all costs as issues with violence and law enforcement may …show more content…

Freedom of speech enables artists to produce or display any of their works in any way they want to, even if they are seen as breaking the law. If anything could be labeled as freedom of expression, the suspects will be deemed innocent, as it is their right to showcase their works. One common crime that contains this loophole is graffiti. Graffiti is defined as writing or drawings done on public spaces, which can be considered as art, a form of expression. The Oxford dictionary states that art is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination” and graffiti fits that criterion. Therefore, anyone can argue that they were simply exercising their right to freely express their imagination on a different canvas. However, others consider it as vandalism, which becomes an offence. This is a contradiction of the law and the right for freedom of expression, which may cause others to not adhere to the laws strictly. This leads to unrest in the country, which would impact some other aspects like the political or even the economical situation, resulting in development at a slower rate. One place with excessive graffiti is New York. The Post reveals that New Yorkers filed 4,167 graffiti complaints in 2014 alone, a 5 percent spike citywide from 3,956 in 2013. Many of the taggers are still not arrested. Not only does this show that the taggers have won over the law, it also makes the police department seem incompetent, resulting in people having less faith in the NYPD. Therefore, free speech should not be defended at all costs as it may cause problems with law enforcement in the various

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