Graffiti as defined by Webster’s dictionary (2010) is an unauthorized drawing or writing on a public surface, as such the graffiti is interpreted differently as dependent on context, content and who is viewing it. From an anthropological standpoint Drumuller defines graffiti as the “…written cultural phenomena making use both of symbolic and iconic language” (1988:1). It may also be a reflection of contemporary customs and moral values revealing details about everyday life through a highly structured communication medium (Rodriguez and Clair 1999:2)
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| Washroom SUB (first floor) |
A key aspect of the bathroom graffiti, and many other forms of graffiti in general is the fact that it is anonymous and there are no rules in what can be written. Everyone has the opportunity in the bathroom stall to say anything, however, and to anyone. In this way the washroom graffiti can act to “level the playing the field” by eliminating factors such as the social status, education, access, expertise and communication competence, t certain individuals are not advantageously privileged nor benefit over others when accessing this medium of expression (Rodriquez and Clair 1999:2). As such, the ability to present ones thoughts in a public forum is limited only by the lack of a writing instrument and ones own personal judgments towards participating in graffiti production.
According to Bruner and Kelso, although written in the privacy of the toilet stall, the writing of graffiti in this arena is essentially a social act “…to write graffiti is to communicate; one never finds graffiti where they cannot be seen by others” (1980:5). As such, graffiti exists as a rhetorical form, one that invites individual to participate in the conversation and become a collaborator in the creation bathroom dialogue mural. A new person coming to a toilet stall who chooses to write graffiti must take account of what has previously been written, even in the minimal sense of choosing an appropriate location on the wall.
Furthermore graffiti may also be seen as an “…outlet for people to express their attitude with regard to race, gender and sexual orientation” (Rodriquez and Clair 1999:2). Indeed this is evident in my collected bathroom graffiti dialogue, for example in response to a statement one individual writes;
Yes I am grateful I wasn’t born a muslim woman, their life looks s*****y, I am also grateful I wasn’t born an Asian gurl, all azns just suck they are ugly and huge losers-Anonymous (Woodward washroom stall in response to statement 2)
Here the graffitist presents her viewpoint on Muslim and Asian people in a distinctly derogatory manner, without fear of retribution or rebuttal through direct confrontation. Others do respond to such statements through the same anonymous media forum through the use of arrows pointing to the statement with accompanying retorts. For example in response to the above statement one individual wrote; “Racist much? You should be ashamed of yourself!”. Other times unfavorable comments were crossed out by others in response. The washroom graffiti provides an opportunity for racist, sexist or homophobic speech to exist without any true sanctions or repercussions from organizations (in this case UBC). Rodriguez and Clair suggest comments on washroom stalls that are sexist, racist or homophobic may “…establish or reinforce the privileging aspects of patriarchal practices, thus, supporting hegemonic order” (1999:3).
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| Woodward Library Washroom |
On the other hand scholars also note that when larger organizing bodies mute public discourses, graffitists resort to public walls to hold such dialogue. This allows conflicts and concerns to be equally visible and known to all that choose a certain stall. This may in fact “…challenge the hegemonic order…in so doing all members of a cultural group, by way of accessibility are equally potential participants and discussants in such discourses” (Rodriquez and Clair 1999:3). For example in many of the stalls I noticed that there was considerable writing against such derogatory statements, presenting a way for cultural groups (ie: Asians or Muslims) to unify around a common discourse. Many individuals retorted to the presented derogatory comment by writing things in their own dialect, hence participating in their own conversation against such racially charged statements while similarly revealing aspects of their identity. Rodriguez and Clair thus suggest that a tension exists with graffiti (especially in bathroom stalls) between it being an enactment of resistance or an articulation of oppression practices, noting that it is possible for graffiti to be both (1999:3).
Not all of the graffiti I found engaged in racial arguments, many were also random notes or poems expressing an individuals thoughts and feelings (see SUB washroom notes) that individuals could express publicly in an anonymous manner. As such, the graffiti in the UBC washrooms exists as a communicative practice from which to gain insight on tensions between groups, ideologies, and general self-expression. It is a unique expressive space, where anonymity plays a central role.
Quotes Collected From Bathroom Stalls
Woodward Library Washroom: All in one stall
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| Woodward Library Washroom (evidence of erasure by others) |
(1) Sometime I wish I had ADD so then at least I would have an excuse for not studying
(2)(In response to 1)There are some places in the world where women aren’t even allowed an education, sold to some f**** by 12, having babies at 14 their first experience at s*** is rape and they aren’t allowed to pick up a book! Maybe you all should stop b******* about how much studying cuts into your fbook time be grateful you’re in the tiny minority of women worldwide whoa re literate and study medicine
(3)(In response to 2) Exactly, don’t complain about your own privileged choices
(4)(Arrows indicating in response to 2) Written in Japanese, followed by other notes written in Japanese and Chinese (unsure)
(4) VOTE or DIE B********
SUB Washroom First Floor: All in one Stall
(5) You’re on a rack
floating through space
(6) I am
Je suis
Yo Soy
Reference:
Durmuller, U.
1988 Sociolinguistic aspects of mural sprayscripts (Graffiti). Sociolinguistics 17(1):-16.
Bruner, Edward and Kelso, Jane
1980 Gender differences in graffiti: A semiotic perspective. Women’s studies International Quarterly 3(1):137-148
Rodriquez, Amardo and Clair, Robin
1999 Graffiti as communication: Exploring the discursive tensions of anonymous texts. Southern Communication Journal 65(1):1-15
Websters Online Dictionary
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