Editor,
This is an open letter to UNM’s amateur graffitists. We have all seen your recent work on the pavements and walls around campus, the anarchy symbols coupled with what I’m sure you think is witty profanity-laden discourse on religion and politics. Well, I have a message for all of you: You are not Che Guevara. You are not Banksy nor Karl Marx nor Kurt Vonnegut. You are not having an impact on anyone or saying anything
meaningful whatsoever. You are not a radical fringe, or a warrior for the counter-culture. Instead, you are a woefully natural part of our culture: the lazy, unqualified critic. Frankly, what you are is counter-productive to your own vague cause — irritating and feeble-minded. It’s not your message or your ideology that is the problem. You think marijuana should be legalized? That’s a reasonable claim. You think Christianity is having a negative cultural impact? Many people would argue with you, but it’s a valid opinion, and one you are entitled to. However, when you think you are fighting tyranny or accomplishing anything positive at all by scrawling obscenities on school buildings, then there is a problem. This graffiti is not a statement; you are just acting like a stoned seventh grader. If you want to make a difference, you should do something or say something, anything at all. You think you’re an anarchist? That’s great, but you’re behaving like a spiteful child. You think you’re an activist? Well, to be an activist you have to actually do something, and you’re not. You’re acting, playing a part — and it is a pretty pathetic one.
Austin Provencher
UNM student
