Walls and Graffiti

                I found these articles very interesting.  I believe Klein’s article about walls and borders was a good article to read after discussing the other kind of borders along sex orientation and gender.  Correlating to Klein’s article, it was interesting reading about the physical wall and barriers.  His description of the different kinds of walls made me look at certain barriers differently.  Also how walls can be in several categories and especially in Jerusalem, the same wall can mean different things for different people.  Walls may be for protection for Israel yet they are seen as an aggressive force for the Palestinians. 

                The graffiti on the walls demonstrates how the walls mean different things.  I loved this article and learning how people used this medium to speak out.  As Peteet said “Graffiti constituted a voice for those who felt voiceless in the international arena” (7).  It was a form of resistance that was not violent but could make their message reach many different people.  Peteet also mentioned how Palestinians relied on this form for similar reasons why stone throwing was common.  Graffiti is cheap and you do not need any technology or equipment besides yourself and a spray can, yet the effect can still be just as powerful.  At first I found it odd that Palestinians would rush out to erase or black out other graffiti.  I thought why not let the graffiti stay so it can reach more eyes?  Then as the situation was explained and how the Israeli Police would come and force them to erase the graffiti and fine them, I understood that the Palestinians would want to erase it on their own turf, and not erasing because they were told to.  Overall, I find the graffiti a great medium for the Palestinians to put their message on the walls and barriers that have conflicted their lives.  I know look at graffiti I see in Columbus much differently as well.