Is Graffiti an Art or Vandalism

i Art or Vandalism is the question in question here on one side many people feel graffiti is art and also a form of self expression and on another side some feel it is nothing but glorified vandalism. Both sides have a very good argument but before we are able to take any side .We must first know what exactly are graffiti, art and vandalism? According to Webster's dictionary (p828) graffiti is ''defined as markings, as initial, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom''. Now vandalism defined by Webster's dictionary(p2104) is ''deliberately mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property.' Art also defined by Webster's dictionary (p117) is ''the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.'. Now we ask this question again is graffiti art or vandalism?
Well based on the definition of these words I say Graffiti is in fact Art. Now some may ask if the definition of the words alone tell you it is art why is it such a debate? Well that question can simply be answer with it just depends on were the graffiti is placed. Vandalism is only vandalism when it is mischievous or malicious destruction or damage of property.
If for example someone was to spray paint there bedroom for decortications proposes that is graffiti as art not vandalism because they did not do it for a mischievous or malicious destruction reason or to damage the room. They did it as self expression to make the room beautiful in there own way which is exactly Art. I feel the reason people say graffiti is vandalism is because they just simply don't know what the words mean. Yes graffiti is vandalism if done on public property out of a mischievous act but if graffiti is out of this context it is not vandalism. Also in both cases graffiti is still art weather it's done as a vandal or positive act because art is perceived