Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 1978)
Graffiti Desk-top Chaucers etch impressions in scrawling, scribbling anonymity By ROBERT SCHEYER For the Emerald The lecture drones. The professor's words fuzz into one another and his voice wanes. A gray mist engulfs the mind as the head lowers. Suddenly, a slash across the desk top reveals, “It’s impossible to stick a Cadillac up your nose, it’s just impossible.” Such is the methodology of the desk top graffiti writer. A frustrated individual who, when no one is watching, will imprint upon a desk, “Sex before finals, please.” The University’s resident folk lorist, Barre Toelken, says desk top graffiti is unusual because of the odd medium through which words are expressed. “It is one of the ways students can fight back against the anonymity of the Uni versity,” Toelken says. Graffiti writers do strike out at the very heart of institutions with, “Generally, fraternity members are insecure dolts,” or “Greek freaks." Insulted fraternity mem bers strike back by placing Greek call letters one-half an inch down into desk tops. Toelken believes words are im printed in desk tops in response to events. “Students either get bored or need to respond to political or campus events.” Graffiti writers seek to destroy our political system by asking people to “castrate Carter.” Everywhere is Richard Nixon immortalized with obscene carica tures and remarks like “Nixon s father pulled out too late too.” Budding young scientist seek ing a response to nature’s in tricacies etch “I am confused,” or “Growing old is great when you consider the alternative.” Fear often overcomes scientific minds and simple responses are “Help, enzymes are eating me alive;” “Eat my polymer," and Lake Erie died for your sins.” Toelken says the custom of “leaving one’s mark" is as old as time itself. “It’s important to make your mark in life. Graffiti has a lot to do with human psychology.” Perhaps this explains why desk top graffiti becomes more preval ent and perverse toward the back of classrooms. Person’s names, phone numbers, hometowns, favorite rock groups, sororities, fraternities, sexual fantasies and “world shaking truths" multiply exponentially in approaching the back of classrooms. Are these vandals afraid of being caught? “I’ve never seen anybody do it.” Toelken says. QUIMP (Queers United In Mutual Perversions) claims number one desk top space in today’s graffiti world. QUIMP can also come under the auspicious title of “Buster QUIMP Hymen.” Desk tops suffer heavy damage under “The BeQUIMPing hour 9:30 M-F;” “QUIMP is a new •breakfast cereal,” and “QUIMP incognito.” Editorial comment continues with“QUIMP isn’t better than dope,” and “QUIMP is here and has dirty ears." University authorities have not stood still for such destructive stu dent tendencies. In recent years they introduced the graffiti writers plague, formica desk tops. Par ticularly hard hit areas of the Uni versity are the law school and psychology building. In 180 PLC students remedy the situation by pen-pointing the fabric covered seats and wooded arm-rests. The conglomerate of students attend ing this classroom need “Boffo Burgers," and “Bed Power,” to 10% OFF! We Give A 10% Discount On Service & Repairs With Your U of O I.D. Card. (Applies To Students, Faculty & Staff) •PLUS* Excellent Garage Service & Parts At The LOWEST PRICES Of Any Authorized Volkswagen Dealer In Western Oregon. WE SERVICE: VOLKSWAGEN. AUDI. ALFA ROMEO, FERRARI & BMW. LEASING & DAILY RENTALS. TOO! FREE COURTESY BUS SERVICE /IKRI/T SERVICE HOURSM-f 8-5=30 SALES HOURSMF 8.30-9.SAT.9-6. SUN. 12-6 VOLKSWAGEN V/, t ^ alfa romeo 1570 SOUTH A' SPRINGFIELD 746-8241 i University student John Crowley says he draws on desks for fun. But University Professor and folklorist Barre Toelken says students write and draw on Photo by Pamek SU»van desks to “fight back against the anonymity of the University.” help them through class Journalism students are not li mited in their expression. Every thing that is made of wood gets stenciled. Journalists identify themselves as “Ozone rangers ’ What’s on a joumalists’s mind? "Cocaine all around my brain." Future businessmen scribble trite phrases like “Reality is an es cape." or “Chaste makes waste. ’ These graffiti writers touch on their purpose when they imprint “Sleep now, flunk later,” or “Some people have to be out on a limb before they'll turn over a new leaf." Graffiti writers often realize de sperate situations and call for help through this medium. "Help. Mr. Wizard;" “If boredom were a tree, this place would be a forest;” “In sanity is the ability to escape real ity," and ‘Can this really be the end?" are last resort messages. These persons' minds must search the deep dark depths of despair when they cut into desk tops: “Boredom in the superla tive" or "Less is more” or "Re member to wonder" and "Kiss my grits." These villains of wood are in secure in their expression. The world must know, but must not know from whence it came. The twisted references to sex, drugs and political figures show an anxi ety reaction to unpleasant events Graffiti writers are on the bottom rung of literary expression. Or is the author you? Oregon Wilderness Supplies Is there something missing from your winter wardrobe? 20% off Insulated Parkas & Vests Sweaters, Mountain Parkas & Anoraks GET WARM SALE Lower Level EMU 10-6 M-F 686-3089
