Graffiti began in the 1960s in Philadelphia and New York as a way to honor musicians and spread messages. Early graffiti was seen as vandalism, but it evolved into an art form as artists tagged their names and neighborhoods across the cities. While some see graffiti as a way to beautify neighborhoods and make political statements, others argue it is socially and politically problematic. It can cost taxpayers millions to remove, encourage crime, and spread hateful or offensive messages. There is ongoing debate around whether graffiti should be considered art or vandalism.