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As an artist and person who appreciates expression in many ways, I have loved much of the graffiti (by way of mural style) that has been splashed over the trains, buildings etc. I realize this is going to seem controversial, but I like different points of view and what they have to offer. That being said, I grew up in NYC until 10ish and lived in Boston. I came from an artsy background and while I have great respect for other peoples property and defacing which is promoting in the Graffiti community, I also have a deep appreciation for the artists out there. I recently watched another documentary on cable last week http://bombit-themovie.com/ and was reminded of the senseless scribble name stamping that some engage in, and also sighed with pleasure to seeing those magnificant murals which are expressive in many communities and add so much color. It's totally subjective seeing the Salt/Pepper bridge in Cambridge riddled with cartoonlike names or pictures under the belly of the bridge and some feel it takes away from the beauty. I see it differently.

In this documentary it reflected certain areas that children were given the ability to BRIGHTEN the area wall of a building with color and those in the community were respectful to the many that graffiteed the area with non-scribble. We do have a lot of gangs here on the Cranston/Providence borderline that scramble to tag areas and provide nothing but an eye sore, however, the artwork appreciaition on trains and the like are appreciated by people like me.

I think it's wonderful to have these children involved in Project Citizen, but I also think you need to educate them more about it. I also feel, when you are suspending students, expelling, charging them with crimes - - part of their repayment / consequences for whatever the negative behavior could be much more impactful/life lessons IF you made them do community servies, such as cleaning graffiti, garbage from areas like Meshanicut Lake etc. Just my 2 cents.

From: Rhodes fifth graders fight graffiti in the city

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