Living Proof

Boosted

Boosting refers to the act of shoplifting items, typically from retail stores with an intent of reselling goods for profit. With deep connections to graffiti culture; it becomes a way of life and even an occupation. As a natural extension of the mentality shared by graffiti writers who often operate on the margins of society, boosting is a tradition that provides a means of survival and a maintenance of a certain lifestyle without relying on a conventional job. Circumnavigating the need to pay money for items allows for a broader range of movement without financial barriers.

When rising prices and economic inequality make it harder for people to get by, shoplifting becomes an adaptation mirroring how humans have historically gathered resources when access was limited. It involves navigating the environment to acquire necessities in a way that bypasses traditional economic systems. Boosters exploit the vulnerabilities of the retail system and move efficiently while avoiding arrest. As the wealth gap continues to widen, boosting is often a reaction to the harsh economic realities many face.

While boosting may appear as mere theft, within the subculture of graffiti, it is seen as a resourceful adaptation and a tradition; challenging the very norms that dictate what is rightfully owned and by whom.