Dysart High School has become a graffiti ground for the school’s known gang, the “Sex Jerx.” For a while the graffiti wasn’t too bad, with only little taggings found in the restrooms. Yet, from the start of this school year, many Sex Jerx markings have been all over the campus. Such areas are the side doors of the auditorium, the entrance doors to the library hallway, and even classroom doors.

Answers were needed as to why these markings have increased, since the start of this school year. Most of the gang members that hang out at the so-called “ Jerx wall,” were not willing to be interviewed. Only two members agreed to be interviewed, explaining their thoughts on the graffiti situation. But it was demanded from the two members, that their names not be released.

When asked if graffiti is done for self-satisfaction or the gang’s pride, the 1st member answered for himself, but the 2nd member answered for both. He explained, “I do it for gang pride, and representing my gangs brings self-satisfaction.” For both members, graffiti wasn’t something that needed to be done every single day. The urge to do a Sex Jerx marking only pops up, when they want people to be aware of their presence. The 2nd member explained that in a way, the taggings all over Dysart makes this place feel like his territory. The 1st member didn’t feel the same way, but he did say, “Every where is my playground.”

It was considered that maybe all the graffiti being done lately was because of other competitive gangs. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case because the 1st member explained that there are no other gangs at Dysart. The 2nd member stated, “ Were just trying to make sure people don’t forget Sex Jerx gang still exists. There are really no other gangs to mess with like there use to be a couple of years back.” So it’s plain to see that the Sex Jerx aren’t showing any threat to any other gangs.

Even though there’s no gang rivals for the Sex Jerx at the moment, the two members wanted it to be clear that they still want the strong reputation. Both members go and do these markings because it’s what they decide, they don’t do it because someone told them to. The 1st member stated, “ I always did it by myself and for myself.” So it was understandable that both these members were never peer-pressured into doing graffiti on Dysart’s grounds.

Finally, both members were questioned as to if the graffiti will ever stop. The 1st member answered, “ It could stop as long as something else is going on.” But the 2nd member answered, “Graffiti will never stop. Whether it’d be Sex Jerx graffiti or just random people tagging. If you try to stop it, people will try harder.”