Crog Street Tunnel

By: M. Abellera-Riley

Crog Street tunnel is a place of art to me, but to some it might be dangerous, disgustin, and just negative. In my perspective, it’s not. Yes, it would be ‘’graffiti’’ and would be illegal, but it’s art too. It has a beauty that is unexplainable. Its artistry lies in describing different problems and thoughts in abstract shapes and colors. If you think of it positively, would you rather have a place so plain with no color and lots of crime, or would you have a place with lots of color? Notice this art is meaningful. It goes from peace to politics to even cancer. So, I will show you some of the most unique art throughout these photos.

‘’Art should be a place of hope.’’ -Stephen King

CANCER IS BEATABLE

As this says, ’’Cancer is beatable.’’ This part of the hood is a place that most people would be afraid to go, but with this art piece I felt as if it said something more. I feel as if people understand the problems in our society, but nobody wants too spread positivity or solutions to those problems and situations. This piece is finally showing some positivity, as well as shining light on a problem that is sometimes overlooked.

“Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.” – Ingrid Bergman

PEACE

As this symbol stands for peace . I asked myself, Peace for what? As in where did I want peace? Is it in the community or the world? I guess this photo of a painted graffiti peace symbol can be considered a more of a ‘’resonate with the person’’ type of deal. You might ask, what do I mean by that? Well, what is it that you stand for or believe in? What causes do you want to help? Then again, you could think of “peace” in terms of personal serenity, instead of a disturbance in the peace globally. For example, if it’s with nature and you'd wish there was peace on earth physically then that's probably what you'd imagine when you see the peace symbol. What do I see or and wish for when I see the peace symbol? I see and hope for and end to violence within communities from police and their brutality, constantly and consistently for generations treating African Americans unfairly and unjustly. No Justice...No peace…

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

― Martin Luther King Jr.