Graffiti is inherently a complex subject. Contemporary views on it vary widely, from perpetuation to acceptance to abhorrence of the phenomenon.

Not only do people take a variety of stances on graffiti, most do not completely understand the complexity of the types of graffiti and what is and is not acceptable, especially in a legal sense.

A presentation was conceived to demonstrate this murky state in which graffiti exists.

A "graffiti board" was created which was covered in numerous examples of graffiti of varying types.

In a university lab, a student was asked to volunteer. It was explained to the student that the graffiti board was the property of the student making the presentation. It was then remarked that just about everyone had written something on the board, and the student was asked if he would like to write something on the board as well. A pen was offered by the presenter to the student.

It is important to note that legally, the student was never given express permission by the owner to make any mark on the graffiti board. Marking the board was a violation of the State of Texas Penal Code Sec. 28.08 (the presentation being made at the University of Texas at Austin).

The student could legally be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.