High Life: A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Tagging the Taggers

Graffiti, for centuries a means to display political opinions, evolved in modern times to mark the extent of gang turf. Now, tagging is a rampant practice, but is it art or simple destruction?

High Life asks, “Is tagging different from other types of vandalism? Why or why not?”

“No, because all vandalism is a rebellion against authority. It is not art.”

Conrad DeWitte, 15, sophomore, Servite

“Yes, because other types of vandalism have an obvious intent to destroy property. But a tagger just wants to tag.”

John J. Kim, 17, senior, Servite

“Taggers not only deface the properties of law-abiding, taxpaying citizens, but also vandalize the constitutional and communal liberties granted to everyone.”

Mina Ishida, 18, senior, Rosary

“Tagging is different from other vandalism in that there are people fighting for territory, rather than just being malicious. Even though it’s different, it is no more right than any other type of vandalism.”

Eric Dashoy, 15, sophomore, Santa Margarita

“No, because it ruins the property of others.”

Patricia Camacho, 18, senior, Kennedy

“Tagging is dope! I do my house, and my mom can’t figure out who’s doing it.”

Dim Won, 17, freshman, Ocean View

“No. The only difference is that while someone who smashes in a store window may leave fingerprints or have witnesses, taggers rarely get caught and are never severely punished.”

Jaime Saul, 15, sophomore, Villa Park

“Yes. You do it and you’re proud of it. The people who do it consider it art.”

Jason Lee, 17, senior, Servite

“No, because tagging is a destruction of property.”

David Chen, 15, sophomore, Kennedy

“Tagging to claim your turf is stupid and a blatant form of vandalism. On the other hand, some graffiti is an art form of its own. If it causes people to look at a problem or to search for a solution then it should be done. But tagging to claim an area to say how big you are is juvenile and an obvious form of vandalism.”

Maggie Brown, 18, senior, Rosary

“No, it’s no different. . . . You can’t read any of it.”

Jullie Willgeroth, 18, senior, Newport Harbor

“Yes. Tagging is different because it’s a power thing.”

Jen Lyden, 17, junior, Santa Margarita

“No, because they’re still abusing public property.”

Paul Tayyar, 16, sophomore, Newport Harbor

“No, tagging is just another kind of vandalism. All types of vandalism are destroying someone else’s property.”

Kristin Donner, 17, junior, Loara

“Yes, because tagging is an art form.”

Steve Ayers, 14, freshman, Sonora

“No, because you’re defacing other people’s property.”

Sandy Fung, 18, senior, Kennedy

“No, both are showing the same lack of concern and respect for the community.”

Beth Harper, 16, junior, Loara

“No. Vandalism is vandalism. It still destroys property.”

Melissa Schutz, 16, sophomore, Newport Harbor

“Yes, because taggers write on walls for recognition. Other types of graffiti are done simply to deface and destroy property.”

Meredith Maynard, 16, sophomore, Villa Park

“Tagging is very much a source of vandalism. It is a violation of others’ property.”

Lynn Troung, 17, junior, Ocean View

“No, because both of them destroy property.”

Holly Kent, 15, freshman, Sonora

“Tagging is definitely a form of vandalism, because it is a flagrant violation of environmental and state laws and reduces the victimized area to a tainted wasteland.”

Ashleigh Aitken, 17, senior, Rosary

“Tagging not only shows destruction of our city, but destruction of our society.”

Soraya Hussain, 16, junior, Loara

“If people think tagging is vandalism, they should open up their minds. But punks that are going around scribbling, learn the real meaning of tagging. Until then, jinx all of you guys.”

James Phan, 17, senior, Ocean View

“Tagging is different than vandalism in that it has a definite message behind it. It is a status symbol to have your name on some freeway (sign).”

Laura Greco, 18, senior, Santa Margarita

“Tagging is basically damaging property, but depending on how big or how small the taggers do it depends on how bad the vandalism is.”

Mark Schlefelbine, 14, freshman, Sonora

“Tagging has absolutely no redeeming social value. Spray-paint art can be very appealing, but tagging is nothing more than wanton destruction of property.”

Scott Peterson, 16, sophomore, Villa Park

Next Week’s Hot Topic:

Should girls ask out boys on dates? Should they pay?

Responses were gathered by Darice Liu (Villa Park), Aimee Johnston (Sonora), Susanna Lee (Ocean View), Shareen Ahmed (Loara), Tina Ghattas (Santa Margarita), Abby Fung (Kennedy), Lara Lagos (Rosary), Henry York (Servite) and Dan Eastmond (Newport Harbor).