Plywood: Toward an Analysis of Hurricane Graffiti

Writing on the Plywood: Toward an Analysis of Hurricane Graffiti

In this magazine, Derek H. Alderman and Heather Ward communicate the message of the tremendous utility that Graffiti could represent especially for storm prone states. Far from being the street-like acts of crime that they are so often associated with, the authors of this magazine offer us a full intellectual analysis of Graffiti in a new day light. “Writing on the Plywood” offer us a section by section appreciation of the diverse themes that Graffiti may embody and its significance during hurricanes.

Graffiti, according to Alderman and Ward, contain several messages in circumstances such as hurricanes that then translate into diverse tools for photographs, anchors, historians, or the inhabitants themselves for different purpose. The first argument summarizes graffiti as history in the sense that it is a recording tool and a primary source that depict current happenings and sentiments.

A second argument is that graffiti represent an expression of defiance in the wake of storms. People use graffiti to express their resistance and thus challenge the storm. In contrast, graffiti is used otherwise by people who express desperations. As cited in the examples, graffiti is way for people to personify the storm in some instances and using it to rally a common feeling. It also displays the frustrations, needs, wants, and hopes of the concerned. In addition, as an interactive tool reflecting the realities of people, graffiti can induce a political comment.

A third argument elaborate on territorial issues that might rise as such was the case in post-Katrina. The sense of ownership may also reflect through graffiti as the people try to capture some sense of empowerment. Another point made by Alderman and Ward is the use of graffiti as humor and also prayers. In stressful times such as hurricanes, people generally turn to humor and/or prayers to relax and thus escape the torments of the...