Graffiti Is A Bad Look

I had a very familiar feeling in Johnson’s woods. I was reminded of the woods behind my town hall back in Wellesley, MA. There were little ponds and creeks, old trees, various wildlife, etc. People walk around back there and take in the sights. Some of them are teens and preteens, aimlessly looking for something entertaining. At night, they would use the woods to drink, smoke, and graffiti the trees and bridges. I remember feeling bored–when nothing seemed interesting and everything cost too much money.

I could tell that people use Johnson’s woods in the same inappropriate way when they felt bored. I looked at the graffiti and I knew what happened in these woods at night. Despite seeing the children and families that were no doubt genuinely enjoying the woods, I felt sad. There were so much stupid graffiti: people broadcasting their relationship status, bored people writing whatever they could think of on the bark, something to make that day feel meaningful. That swastika wasn’t a great look, either. It’s a shame to see something so old and beautiful defaced to provide some fleeting feeling of satisfaction. To those children who walk the woods, the graffiti  must look as normal as moss. There’s no doubt in my mind that in ten years, they’ll add to the graffiti.

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