Justice on the Street.

A week before George Floyd died gasping for breath under a Minneapolis cop's knee, people around the world celebrated the 100th birthday of an iconic, nonviolent peacemaker. The late pope, John Paul II, now a Catholic saint, is remembered for his anti-war stances. For example: "Humanity should question itself, once more, about the absurd and always unfair phenomenon of war, on whose stage of death and pain only remain standing the negotiating table that could and should have prevented it," he said. 

The Polish World War II survivor was an ally and force of nature in his nation's nonviolent Solidarity movement. Without firing a single shot, the trade union of shipbuilding workers provided the willpower for their minds to overcome the muscle of an oppressive, dominant government. In 1989, they finally broke the Soviet, communist stranglehold on Poland, after a 43-year struggle. The Polish pope was intensely committed to nonviolence. He said: "Only in peace and through peace can respect for human dignity and its inalienable rights be guaranteed. There is no true peace without fairness, truth, justice and solidarity."

The signature Polish Solidarnosz graphic is unforgettable. Contemporary red lettering pulsed with the transformational power of peace as the world watched and Russia quivered. Art reflecting life as it evolves. Personal expression has helped fuel vital change throughout history -- whether a hand-stitched flag with stars and stripes, a block-letter sign shouting, "I AM A MAN" or a symbolic physical act, like a sit-in, taking a knee or a two-finger gesture of peace.

Walking Chicago's streets tonight, my wife, Ellen, and I passed working artists and their projects giving voice to a new movement. Many works appeared on wood panels that protected store windows from opportunists. One large mural memorialized Trayvon Martin and called for readers to "Say his name." A masked painter, "Joey D" is a commercial artist who felt the urge to speak out for social change. He permitted photographs from behind, preferring to remain anonymous, letting his work speak for him. Joey said he had the business owner's permission to work all day on his street art. It's message: "Love. Unity. Change." As he brushed the finishing touches on colorful cartoon characters, he shared that art has always been his therapy. At one point, Joey teared up as he talked about his kids growing up surrounded by a viral pandemic and racial tension. Joey's 8-year-old son will celebrate his birthday tomorrow. Today his father expressed fear for the world and wondered if these might be end times. 

Joey is searching for the same answers to the question that all men and women have asked in the face of injustice. What will it take for truth to triumph? 

In his own way, Jesus used a type of street art to respond. One day, a group of religious leaders challenged him to uphold their biblical law. They had caught a woman in the very act of adultery. Preparing to stone her to death, they paused to test the outspoken rabbi. "Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" they asked. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger in the temple area. He said nothing but they insisted he answer. So the radical rabbi stood up and suggested the one without sin throw the first stone. Jesus bent down again and continued using his finger to trace on the ground. One by one, the accusers left. 

You probably know the rest of the story. When the crowd dispersed, Jesus stopped  his writing, stood up and showed the adulteress compassion. With no one to condemn her, He said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." (John 8:11)

Joey the artist nodded. He was pleased to hear the timeless answer to the timeless question: What will it take for truth to triumph? It takes people like you and me to have the courage to speak up for fairness whenever we see injustice. And do so with peace in solidarity.