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waited, hoping it was actually over, then polite applause. Oswald jumped to his feet and began cheering loudly. I reached out and pulled him back down, but he kept clapping enthusiastically.
    Mr. Roberts, one eye on Oswald, walked across the stage and shook the mayor’s hand. They exchanged a few words and then, as the mayor sat down, Mr. Roberts came to the microphone.
    â€œWe were going to field a few questions, but I’m afraid we’ve run out of time. Thank you for your polite behavior. You should now proceed to your period-two classes.”
    There was a smattering of applause, and kids got to their feet and started to leave.
    â€œWhat got into you?” Julia asked Oswald.
    â€œI was cheering because that guy is a real inspiration.”
    â€œHim?”
    â€œWeren’t you listening at all? He drove himself to the top.”
    â€œIt wasn’t a very far drive,” Julia said. “He’s rich from his family’s business.”
    â€œGee, thanks for destroying the illusion about him being ‘one of us,’” Oswald said, “but still, he’s an inspiration—at least to me.”
    â€œAnd you’re now suddenly in favor of him painting over street art?” Julia asked.
    â€œMaybe him painting over it is simply the mayor’s attempt to create his own street art,” Oswald suggested. “All I know is that I leave this auditorium feeling inspired.”

Chapter Seven
    â€œThe arts have a long history of political comment and protest,” Mrs. Johnson began. “Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Who knows the next verse?”
    â€œJack fell down and broke his crown,” a bunch of us chorused. “And Jill came tumbling after.”
    â€œGood,” she said. “Now, who knows what that little ditty is about?”
    â€œI’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that it is part of a political comment or protest,” Oswald said.
    â€œIt dates from the French Revolution. Jack is King Louis XVI and Jill is Marie Antoinette. They lost their crowns—their heads, which were cut off,” she explained. “Humpty Dumpty is believed to refer to the despised King Richard III of England and his defeat at Bosworth Field in 1485.”
    â€œAnd all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again,” I said. “I guess that makes sense.”
    â€œBut those are just nursery rhymes,” somebody said.
    â€œWhich we all know is a form of art,” Mrs. Johnson replied. “Let’s turn to what is unquestionably one of the most famous art pieces in history by one of our greatest artists. Michelangelo hated one of the cardinals, so he painted his face into the Sistine Chapel.”
    â€œThat sounds more like a compliment than a protest,” I said.
    â€œPerhaps you need to do a little research and see where he put that face. The cardinal was furious and complained to the Pope, who replied that he should talk to God instead. Another example is Picasso’s famous work Guernica , which he painted in response to the German bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. Can anybody come up with modern examples of art as protest or comment?”
    â€œPolitical cartoons in the editorial section of newspapers,” somebody mentioned.
    â€œAnd the comics, like Doonesbury ,” another added.
    â€œ The Simpsons and South Park are always making fun of politicians,” Oswald added.
    â€œAll great examples. By using the medium of art, the artist is given not only a platform but also some protection,” Mrs. Johnson explained.
    â€œThis stuff is so amazing,” Oswald said to me as an aside. “Who would have thought you could actually learn things in school?”
    â€œI think that’s sort of the idea behind the whole school concept.”
    â€œReally? Good to know. Now, would you keep it down? I’m trying