Page 2
Daily Nebraskan
Wednesday, January 13, 1982
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Campus graffiti reveals vulgarities,
erotic art and reflection of feelings
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When classes and work times conflict . . .
When you want to study away from
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. . . think independent study from University
of Nebraska-Lincoln Division of Continuing
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Campus
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By Chris Wclsch and Gall Huey
Anonymous authors have left their marks in the form
of graffiti since the dawn of mankind. An unofficial sur
vey on the UNL campus revealed that graffiti is as prolific
as ever.
Graffiti found on campus dates back to the hand im
print on a large boulder in front of Morrill Hall, chiseled
out by a prehistoric indian.
"Some of the best writing
done today is on bathroom
walls." Roger Welsh
However, the more recent graffiti found by two Daily
Nebraskan reporters was more creative than the unknown
indian's hand print. The drawings and wall writings found
in the survey ranged from one word vulgarities and simple
art to a lengthy essay on white supremacy and complicat
ed erotic art.
While most campus bathrooms and hallways were re
latively void of graffiti, other places provided page after
page of printable and unprintable graffiti. Oldfather,
Burnett and Richards halls were prime sources. Graffiti
found in the survey was notably different in men's and
women's restrooms.
In men's restrooms, the writing on the wall tended to
be more vulgar (explicit) and derogatory (ethically abus
ive). Writings in women's restrooms leaned toward more
correspondence and advice to other women. The women
also seemed to be more romantic.
Opposite sex
No ethnic slurs were found in the women's restrooms
and the only group criticized was the opposite sex. "Un
ite women - throw off your chains" and "Men are dirt"
were typical examples found in t lie ground floor women's
restrooms in Oldfather.
The male graffiti artists used many traditional graffiti
themes. These included romantic lines ("For a good time
call. . ..""Jerry loves Larry" and competitive statements
between fraternity houses and residence halls ("Dormies
eat here" and "Phi Mus are sickening").
Other popular etchings were about RockVRoll ("Jim
Morrison still lives," "Mick is dead" and "The Rolling
Grave Stones"), ethnic slurs and, of course, sex.
Sex was represented in art, one-word obscenities and
graphic descriptions. The ethnic slurs, found exclusively
in men's restrooms, were targeted mainly at Iranians living
in America. "Iranian College Degrees, take one" was writ
ten beside a toilet paper roll in Oldfather, accompanied by
many other unprintable anti-Iranian remarks.
Graffiti, whether it is obscene or artistic, is studied by-
sociologists, anthropologists and folklorists, according to
Roger Welsch, a UNL associate professor of Lnglish and
anthropology.
Reflection of feelings
"Some of the best writing done today is on bathroom
walls," Welsch said. "Graffiti is often a reflection of peo
ple's true feelings. Because graffiti is anonymous, there is
never any consequence for writing it."
Peter Bleed, chairman of the UNL anthropology dep
artment, agreed with Welsch.
"Ethnic slurs which would not be acceptable in public
become outlets for humor and aggression," he said. "(Gra
ffiti is inconsequential; the author will never have to argue
his point.
"As creative as graffiti can be it is still an expression of
boredom, or lack of anything else to do - perhaps comp
arable to eating peanuts," Bleed said.
The graffiti hasn't changed much in the last couple ot
years. The main difference noted between graffiti found
by the Daily Nebraskan two years ago and today was the
insertion of Ronald Reagan's name in negative remarks
insead of the past presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald ford
and Jimmy Carter. "Reagan ate here" was a popular
slogan in toilet stalls with "Reagan is a fascist" coming in
a close second.
Samples of stall statements
If graffiti is some of today's best writing, as
associate professor Roger Welsch says, then here is
a sampling of the best UNL's walls have to offer:
"Preppies wear their only friends" (Burnett 1 st
floor men's room)
"Jesus saves green stamps" Burnett - 1st floor
men's room)
' "Reality is for those who cannot face drugs"
(Burnett 1st floor men's room)
"Roses are red, violets are blue, I've got the
crabs, now so do you!" (Oldfather 3rd floor
men's room)
"Gee Wally, where's the Beav?"(Love Library -stacks)
"Not on public walls sweetie there are laws"
(Oldfather first floor women's room)
"This wall is revolting!" - "And so are the peas
ants" (Oldfather 1st floor women's room)
"Sex is evil
Evil is sin
Sins are forgiven
So sex is in" (Love Library - stacks)
"George Washington slept with Ben Franklin
here, Sept. l), 1781" (Love Library stacks)
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Meat lab sells
steaks shaped
like Nebraska
A steak shaped like Ne
braska is one of the most
popular items sold by the
Loeffel Meat Lab on UNL's
East Campus, Roger Man
digo, animal science pro
fessor, said.
The steaks, prepared
from chuck or round steak
left over from classroom
work, cost S2.59 per pound,
he said,
Mandigo said the meat
lab store is a small operation
which does not advertise,
depending instead on world-of-mouth
to attract cust
omers. The steaks come from
steers raised on area farms,
including some of the
university farms, Mandigo
said.
The university operates
several famrs and field stat
ions across the state, from
Plattsmouth to ScottsblulT.
Warren Fahs. director of
the field research lab at
Mead, said farm employees
are hired from nearby com
munities and are paid by the
university. During the sum
mer, up to half of the
employees are Jugh school
and college students, he
said.