Ethics Team Debate: Is “Street Art” Vandalism or Philanthropy?

Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/02/2012
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

The UNC Ethics Bowl Team will discuss this question of artistic freedom and then the audience will be invited to join in.

Opponents of graffiti argue, “Graffiti is ugly. . . . Graffiti is an eyesore that decreases property values, is a drain on tax dollars and makes residents feel unsafe.” Some reports indicate that graffiti clean-up costs each taxpayer between one and three dollars annually. In most places there is legislation that criminalizes graffiti. For instance, according to Florida statutes graffiti resulting in less than $1,000 in damage is a misdemeanor offense with subsequent infractions constituting a third-degree felony.

Free speech advocates argue that graffiti is a legitimate form of artistic self-expression and that the costs associated with graffiti removal and decreased property values are the product of social prejudice. One such advocate describes graffiti artists as painting “murals in celebration of line, color, and the beauty of life on a dull gray train trestle for the viewing pleasure of people on their way to work, all without demanding a cent for the service.” Some emphasize that graffiti is supposed to be troubling and is disliked because of the political and social messages it conveys. Others highlight the fact that graffiti competes for expressive space with messages delivered in traditional commercial and political advertising and argue that graffiti gives a voice to someone other than marketers and politicians in public spaces.

The UNC ethics team will demonstrate how the Ethics Bowl operates. There will be two teams of two students each and an alternate and a moderator.

Come listen to the UNC Ethics Bowl Team debate and join in the discussion afterward!