A voice through graffiti

Taken: Sea lots, Port of Spain. Trinidad.

GRAFFITI simply means words or drawings scribbled on a wall. In many instances graffiti is used by contemporary artists as a form of expression. However, what the scene above illustrates is the voice of the people living in this urban dwelling. Its more than phrases spray painted, to me its their voice...their opinion...the only way they see it to get their problems heard, and it makes sense. Thousands of people pass these walls on their way into the city, and read what these citizens have to say. To me, this picture illustrates getting the message across to a grand audience.
Not only does this picture depict the voice of the people, it also shows the culture. According to Ferrell (1993) " distinct cultural heritage is reflected in urban graffiti." In this area, these markings can be interpreted as a culture of assertive behavior as the residents here are trying to claim their rights to the land. According to recent newspaper articles, there have been issues brought up by the P.O.S mayor, Louis Lee sing whether people should even be living in Sea Lots.