Once when I was walking in a large city, I saw a young teen furtively look around, then pull out a sharpie marker and write large scrawling marks on a street sign. He moved a bit further and defaced another sign. I was appalled as my deeply held value about respecting property quickly jumped to the fore. I wanted to verbally chastise the teen, but I swallowed my ire. Did anyone else see what I saw?
Later my daughter explained that graffiti is a way for individuals to “make their mark,” to say, “I was here. I exist.” Hmm. I still didn’t like it, but I pondered what she said. I know for some graffiti is considered art, but I say, “Let’s get you a canvas, not a street sign!” I wanted to find the young man and convince him that, “God knows you. He loves you. You are always in his sight.”