I suspect I’m not the only person upset by this recent article, “Judge blocks Seattle from making vandalism arrests, citing censorship concerns” (The Columbian, June 15). If I read this decision correctly, it allows graffiti, without any consequences, citing a right to free speech.
As graffiti becomes more prevalent, when do individual rights infringe on community rights?
When individual actions impact the larger community, we are talking about the tragedy of the commons: “a social and political problem in which each individual is incentivized to act in a way that will ultimately be harmful to all individuals” (quoting Investopedia).
Other examples of tragedy of the commons are littering in public places, hoarding items during a crisis and depletion of natural resources. Whether it’s about community livability or global habitability, awareness and collective concerns matter.
