Winged Victory stands tall atop the pedestal of the Elijah P. Lovejoy monument in Alton, Illinois.

Lovejoy, killed on the eve of his 35th birthday in 1837 by a pro-slavery mob, was a Presbyterian minister, a newspaper editor, and a fervent abolitionist. Inscribed on one side of his monument is his testimony: "I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery and by the blessing of God I will never turn back."

As I have reflected on this photo, taken several years ago, and Lovejoy's passion for truth and justice and freedom, I cannot escape the notion that most, if not all evil, erupts from the objectification of other human beings. Without seeing another person as real, there can be no trust nor respect. The results are myriad wars of all sizes, and greed, and jealousy, and intolerance, and hatred of anyone who is different.

Lovejoy used his words from the pulpit and through the printing press to expose the abhorrence of an economic system based on owning other human beings, as if God's children can be just another possession. He paid for his words with his life. Slavery eventually ended, but the evil mistreatment of other people has not been conquered...yet. But with each expression of justice, Victory is poised to announce another step toward true humanity and community.