Graffiti-is it art or vandalism?

Graffiti can be regarded as art, or as vandalism; many people question the ethics behind the graffitist, and whether what they do is lawful or not. Is graffiting public walls vandalism, or is it art? Is it illegal, or just freedom of expression?
“I think it adds to a city and it shows their expression or the kinds of the things that people are going through in the city,” Engedi Darling ‘16 said.
Some think it is just an expression of the city; a look into what goes on when the media isn’t watching.
“I think it’s a cultural thing, like certain types of graffiti can mean different things to the people in that area, and it can be a representation of what’s going on and how people are feeling,” Alexandria Clark ‘17 said.
This does bring up a question, however; what type of graffiti is to be allowed, and what will not be? In many high school settings, bathrooms, desks, and walls are painted with drawings, words, and even obscene messages. The line is thin on what is considered vandalism as opposed to art.
“I feel like that’s more writing things, or writing names that’s not really art so I wouldn’t say that’s okay.,” Darling said. “I think street art is more of an expression and then in bathrooms that’s more of the kids skipping class and writing things on the bathroom.”