El Graffiti

(You guessed it...the graffiti.)

Most buildings in Quito have at least some graffiti on them. Unlike in the United States, this graffiti does not proclaim eternal love nor does it denote gang  territories. Rather, Ecuadorians use graffiti to disseminate political messages both in favor of and against the current government. While I certainly understand why some think that the graffiti is nothing more than an eyesore, I often appreciate the opportunity to see the opinions of an otherwise silent minority on display. Below is some of the graffiti on the wall next to my house:

"Vote YES" -- This graffiti suggests that people vote in favor of the government in the referendum scheduled to be held in May. Among other things, passing this referendum would increase President Correa's power over the judiciary branch of the government, a change which critics call a step towards dictatorship.

"Che lives on. The fight continues." -- Che Guevara's image is often invoked Latin American societies. Nonetheless, violent revolution has all but disappeared from the Latin America.

"Revolution and socialism" -- Again the artists invokes revolution. Notice the other partially painted over graffiti in the background.

"[President] Correa = hunger" -- This anti-government graffiti demonstrates that certain sectors of society do not believe that Correa's socialist policies are working.