An Active “Offender” Approach to Understanding The Motivations of Graffiti Writers

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

Hip-Hop Graffiti has existed for over 50 years. Considered by many to serve as a visible sign of crime and disorder several assumptions have been made about the meaning of graffiti, its status as a form of crime, and the motivations of those who write it. While most concerns revolve around what the graffiti means (e.g. gang activity), Criminology is uniquely poised to provide an interpretive and empirical foundation for engaging with graffiti. Applying an active offender research approach focused on semi structured interviews, I show how investigating the motivations of writers through a criminological lens can provide the most accurate and complete picture of how these individuals navigate and perceive the world around them while avoiding capture.

Author

• Joshua Beck, Georgia State University