Graffiti: Playing the Urban Game of Tag

It seems to me that one reason for the cause of graffiti wasn’t mentioned in your article. Yes, a lack of artistic programs contributes to graffiti’s spread, but I believe the reason is more political.

The hip-hop generation has the same twinge of rebellion as the punk rock movement did. Some taggers may be anti-capitalistic or anti-U.S. government, sneaking and tagging to anger businesses and the country.

They don’t know who it was that allowed health costs to increase so devastatingly that their mother could not afford the right health care to heal their sister’s lung. Why should businesses and the government know who disrupts their progress?

Yes, tagging gives recognition and popularity but mainly because capitalism has picked up on the hip-hop allurement. And tagging in any form on any surface is political expression.

ANDREA FIGLER

Santa Monica