An epidemic of graffiti at school

PHOTO: Graffiti found in the bathrooms of Davis High.

By Ava Giovannettone

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Writing and drawing done by students on the walls of Davis High bathrooms; it’s a common thing to see. Whether it’s an inspirational quote written with black sharpie, or a curse word carved into the bathroom stall door, vandalism at DHS is something many students have turned to. 

Penal Code 594 is California’s state law that makes vandalism illegal; this goes for vandalism at school as well. Even though sometimes what is written on the walls can seem positive, it is still not allowed according to the law. 

Fortunately for students who do break this law, they almost never get caught, because no one is going to be watching them as they write on the walls of a locked bathroom stall. 

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Not only are acts of vandalism at school discouraged and not allowed, but they make the job of the DHS custodians much more difficult.

Fred Marania, DHS’s lead custodian, expresses his opinion on having to deal with the marks that students constantly leave on the bathroom walls.

“Every other day there seems to be something new and or added to the last tag,” Marania explains. “It’s very annoying to remove Graffiti one day, and see it replaced with something new the next day.”

Marania said that vandalism and graffiti has been an issue at DHS for a long time, and the school district has multiple ways to get rid of it and cover it. 

“We have a graffiti removing chemical that is used, and the larger vandalism is painted over by our maintenance department,” Marania said.

Students might not see these acts of vandalism as harmful or serious, and may just see it as a way to express their humor or artistic ability, but Marania doesn’t see what is written on the walls as interesting or humorous, he sees them as mean.

“It’s not funny and or amusing, sometimes the content of the vandalism is very hurtful, it can be bullying, discriminatory, racist, or harassing,” Marania said.

Although she doesn’t participate in vandalism herself, junior Mailee Curtis has a different opinion on the writing and drawing on the walls. 

“It’s a form of expression used by artists who don’t have an outreach but want to get their art seen and heard,” Curtis said. “Plus it’s fun to pass time reading what is written.”

Graffiti, or “gorilla art”, as Curtis called it, can be seen by many as a form of self expression and way to share artwork. Curtis even said it’s a way that DHS students have communicated with each other, and formed a sort of community. 

“People share their thoughts, art, and even ask questions for others to answer,” Curtis said. “We’ve created this way to communicate with others from little doodles on the wall.”

Should graffiti on school walls be seen as disrespectful and damaging? Or is it simply a lighthearted way for students to bond and express themselves?

When Marania was asked this question, he encouraged students to “take a writing or art class instead!”