The War on Graffiti

This might seem minor, but the War on Graffiti shaped a generation’s relationship with law enforcement and public space. Declared by Mayor John Lindsay in 1972, the campaign cost the city $300 million over 17 years—even as the subway system crumbled and the city faced near-bankruptcy. Graffiti writers, often described in racially charged terms, were portrayed as dangerous criminals. But this crackdown extended beyond graffiti—teens were also arrested for breakdancing and holding unpermitted parties. Together, these targeted acts would become the foundation of hip-hop, one of the most influential cultural movements of the past 50 years.