Editor’s Note: This article originally written by Roger Perry-Smith, published November 11, 1971 in the Arapahoe Who Knows. 

Graffiti at Arapahoe Community College is at an all time low compared to campus writing found at other colleges. Lavatory walks lack sincere thought and feeling that good modern graffiti should contain. The artwork is worse with sloppy renderings of the human torso greatly exaggerated, and physically out of propertion. There is not one expression of an anguished genius or comment by any angry reactionary. The only thought provoking inscriptions are out dated telephone numbers and hostility directed toward writer’s ex-girl friend and the reader’s poor mother. This combined with poor grammar and frequent misspellings reflects upon the type of student that attends ACC.

The quality of graffiti in one of ACC men’s room is so poor, that a mathematicians problem solving is the only thoughtful sight to grace the entire stall. Unfortunately the effort inscribed was incorrect.

The purpose of graffiti is not strictly deep seated thought, or, profound profanity. It is a device to share humor and amuse anyone who sits idel. At ACC, poetry seems to be quite popular, but it is neither humorous nor amusing because it is trite and very childish. Scrawling in the Main Building’s one and only men’s room, is so immature, it would lead one to believe the walls had not been painted since the building’s conversion from an elementary school. The “Roses are red, violets are blue,” type of poetry is still used.

The dwindling emphasis on good, wholesome profanity has reduced the effectiveness of itself, because it no longer provides a shock of disgust. To use profanity is senseless and has led many of believe graffitie is practiced only by undesirables.

Because of the ill use of profanity Prospective scrawlers abandon their ideas. This leaves graffiti in the grubby hands of crude individuals who should be educated before being allowed to enter a public restroom.

In spite of senseless profanities, perverted writing is one of the school’s most outstanding form of restroom literature. One student reports of a particular men’s room that is very popular. The stalls are made of wood, thereby hold a lasting impression. The poor, frail, little chap is deathly afraid to enter it, even in times of emergency, from fear of encountering one of the persons that “write such awful words!”

Momentary contemplations that are jotted, forgotten and left for the world to read are truly gold. Intentional garbage cannot be edited but can be censored with a coat of paint. This should be done at ACC unless the quality of graffiti changes for the better.