The Writing on the Wall - Response

Hello everybody. :)

Straight up, I've always just thought of graffiti as vandalism. I guess, at its shallowest level, that's what the people in this article were doing. And if it wasn't illegal it wouldn't have had the same impact. If there hadn't been any risk involved, it wouldn't have been as compelling, nor as admirable (to the Palestinians at least). And who knew something so simple could take on so many facets and meanings. They were political statements, dialogue, and guilt-trips, and they declared villains and martyrs.

When I thought about the Israeli soldiers (or beleaguered owners of whatever wall the graffiti was on) constant battle with the-night graffiti artists, I couldn't help but find it a little funny. It reminded me of a scene from a movie, and this seemed like the typical oppressor v. underdog struggle. It must have felt like a very Sisyphean task, painting over graffiti, knowing that a fresh batch would show up tomorrow. 

On another note, I was struck by the resilience of the Palestinians. I think it was sort of a nice look at humanity when it's under pressure. We can make something out of nothing. They took something as simple as a can of spray paint and turned it into so so much more. They subverted censorship and got everyone's attention. It was anonymous (assuming one didn't get caught of course) yet could still advertise the ideologies of a group.

See you guys!