99% Invisible California Love Scared Straight
Aug 4, 2020
Walter Thompson-Hernandez, a graffiti artist, reflects on his early experiences in L.A.'s Scared Straight program and explores the complexities of friendship and identity. Joined by Joe Connolly, an anti-graffiti activist, they discuss their contrasting views on urban art. The conversation touches on personal transformation, the emotional turmoil of adolescence, and the journey from rebellion to redemption. Their heartfelt reunion offers a lens into the evolution of their creative expressions, showcasing how life and graffiti intertwine in meaningful ways.
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Scared Straight's Ineffectiveness
- Walter Thompson-Hernandez, at 12, entered a Scared Straight program for graffiti.
- The program, with its boot camps and verbal attacks, failed to deter him, deepening his involvement in graffiti.
Graffiti as Therapy
- Walter found an outlet for his pain through graffiti, viewing the streets as his therapy.
- He and his friend, Aloe, bonded over their shared troubled home lives and passion for tagging.
Tagging Adventures and Nemesis
- Walter and Aloe honed their tagging skills together, learning techniques like using dirt to make hidden tags visible.
- Joe Connolly, their "nemesis," persistently painted over their work.