The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was officially dedicated this past Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the National Mall in Washington, DC. In addition to the 30-foot memorial being erected near that of three U.S. presidents, Abraham Lincoln among them, the significance is far-reaching. As a caring ordinary citizen, King was motivated to fight for racial, social, economic, and educational equality.
King’s method of redress of any kind of injustice has defined how many groups have sought and fought for change. One has only to witness the current “Occupy Wall Street” protests, which have spread to cities across America and the globe.
The King Memorial will have fleeting meaning if most of us go back to business as usual and continue to choose to be only spectators of conditions and incidents of inequity, prejudice and blatant discrimination that occur on a daily basis in many aspects of contemporary society.
Erecting bigger-than-life statues and commemorations are one thing. Teaching and living the principles King died for is quite another.
While much progress has been made, there is still a great need to continue to work to achieve better race relations, religious tolerance, social justice, education, and economic parity and to rid our tendency to conduct our daily lives based on erroneous stereotypes.
We can no longer wait to be motivated to act by blatant and ugly reminders — a hanging noose here, an ethnic slur there or some other derogatory graffiti and demeaning behavior. Worse yet until some one is beaten or killed because of how they look, because of their sexual orientation, their religious beliefs.
We also need to be mindful of the less obvious crimes against people that are with us every day through some form or the other — disenfranchisement born of the disparity between race, economic classes, the well educated, and the poorly educated. Someone is denied a job, a home, a loan, a seat in a classroom just because of their color or class.
Like King, there must be many more voices sending an unequivocal and unswerving message: One’s color, one’s ancestry, one’s economic status in life by birth does not automatically make a person either superior or inferior to any other person who may be different.
Imagine if we were able to avoid passing these harmful stereotypes and beliefs of racial hatred to our children. Many destructive and divisive cycles would be broken. In imparting the right lessons and messages to our children, we could be sowing the seeds that could advance human relations by leaps and bounds. Silence is not an option.
Could the societal sea change that is needed, lie with future and younger generations?
Looking a little closer at King’s life could foretell the promise we can place in our youth. King’s concern about human injustice began early in his life.
Most people know of the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which he delivered during the march on Washington in 1963. But the fire that burned within King’s soul, that led him to dedicate his life toward eradicating social evil and injustice, started long before — nearly 20 years earlier when he traveled to Dublin, Georgia as a senior in high school to deliver “The Negro and the Constitution” in an oratory contest. Perhaps, it was just a flicker then. But as you follow his life through college and the seminary, you see that flicker grow into a flame.
The more inhumanity he saw and heard, the more he could not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear. Obviously, adults, whether his parents and others he encountered along the way, implanted and influenced the belief system that governed how he regarded mankind and his life’s work to make things better.
Time and time again, we see how difficult it is for many of us to shake the harmful and false perceptions of others that have been passed from one generation to the next. We must take off the blinders and face how these perceptions perpetuate negative influences generation after generation.
If King had to choose having a statue commemorating his work over us living, teaching and practicing every day the principles he fought and died for, he would much rather we do that.
Then our children can become the teachers of other children. Only then will the principles King lived and died for become our way of life.
What do you think about the work of Martin Luther King? How might it influence your future perceptions and actions?
Comments
I completely agree with your
I completely agree with your point. I believe that King is definitely deserving of a monument. The monument symbolizes all of his achievements, but I’m not sure that the monument itself perpetuates the influence of his values within modern society. It seems that this monument is memorializing a past event, implying that issues of Civil Rights have been entirely remedied, which is not the case. There is still much more work to be done in order to achieve true societal equality with the inclusion of other minorities as well.
Agree
I think it is great that there is a statue of MLK now but we do still need to voice his ideas and keep them relevant to today's issues. It would be great if these ideas were enforced more in our everyday lives. We need more courageous people like MLK to encourage people to fight for what they believe in.
In Mind and Memory
I believe memorials are beautiful ways to commemorate powerful people who made a significant difference in this world. They are timeless and selfless, with the motivation to inspire. I do, however, agree with the author that the most important part of the memorial is to remember what the depicted individual fought for and to carry on his legacy. The most important part is to keep fighting, to keep moving forward.
I also agreed with the author that King changed the way we fight for causes. Protesting was definitely around before he was, but the grand-scheme impact he had on the power of the people's voice is insurmountable. In some ways he gave us our voices back while showing us that nothing will change unless we change it ourselves.
I agree with you that this
I agree with you that this statue will not only work to show the progress that we have made as a country, but it will also work to be a reminder of what we still have to accomplish. Racism is still going strong in some places throughout the country; it is our job as citizens to work to remove the hatred so that we can become the country that MLK always dreamed of.
Martin Luther King + Statue
I am definitely in deep admiration of the political and social activism of Dr. Martin Luther King. He helped lead the Civil Right's Movement and, in doing so, challenged the United States to question the status quo and actually stand up for change. He is, unquestionably, one of the greatest American leaders, inspiring both hope and the desire for reformation in a nation that was once (and, to some degrees, still IS) deeply divided. His work - and his message of equality, fairness, and opportunity for everyone - is still evident today. And the "dream" he mentions in his most famous speech is still the one most ardently sought when it comes to social justice. He proved that one person can stand up and make a difference, because if one person raises his voice for what is wrong, he often inspires people to follow in his footsteps. As well, the lasting legacy of his work lives on every single day, and it is the basis of motivation for many people who are passionately fighting to make King's dream of a more united America a reality.
As such, he has definitely influenced my perceptions and actions. I personally strive to model myself after the standard of selflessness, courage, and drive that King held himself to. Further, he opened my eyes to the issues of racism that pervaded his generation and, in many ways, still pervades ours. I don't think anyone is truly untouched by his work, and I believe that it is important that children today learn (and adults RE-learn) about everything King did to improve life for American minorities and raise the bar for what it means to be equal in Ameirca.
But, just like the article pointed out, I think that implimentation of King's ideas and messages on a broader societal level would likely do a lot more good than erecting a statue in his honor. Though the statue does help to commemorate and raise awareness of all the good that King did in his life, I don't think it's enough. For all of our triumphs as a nation, our collective social memory often needs to be jolted. A statue is one way to do this, but increased awareness of the still rampant racism in the nation and the ways that King would work to end them (if he were still with us today) is a much more powerful way to make sure the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. never dies. As well, it is important to remind people not just of what King did, but of who he was: a man of great character who was willing do endure unfathomable hardships in order to fight for what he knew was right. We need more people in the world like this today.
An Inspiration
MLK has always been an inspiration to me, and not only what he did, but how he did it. His belief in nonviolence truly is a testament to the greatness of his character. Everyone can take a second to respond to someone who has said an ignorant comment, but it takes a great person to take a calm approach, especially when people are aggressive to your face everyday. I think that we can all be MLKs in our daily lives, especially when we live in a world that discrimination goes much deeper than race. We have to fight battles against sexual orientation, class, gender, etc and while we have made some progress, there is still a long way to go to live in a country that we are truly judged on the "content of our character." Discrimination has become much more covert and while multiculturalism and diversity are not new introductions in our society, we have things such as residential segregation as being the highest in hundreds of years, more of a gap between the rich and the poor, and large percent of our population not receiving a basic education.
For this reason, we need to look back on the lessons of not only MLK, but also Ghandi and those who have fought for not just equality, but just for overall justice and fairness. We can channel these lessons into working on our future today and we can start our change right in our hometowns by educating those on the inequalities that exist and how we can come together to find ways to change it.
MLK
I think Martin Luther King Jr's work is just beginning. While he made a big impact in his time, I think it is this generation that must heed his words and finally take a stand against privilege and racism. The issue of race will never be solved if it is not always at the forefront of our minds. Dr. King's influence was so powerful because race and inequality and privilege were never issues that he placed on the back burner. They were always pertinent issues. We must continue with his lead and keep the issues relevant in order to continue to make progress.
Great
I completely agree with you that MLK's work is just beginning. I think his statue is great start for people to realize the injustice that has occurred. It is also a reminder for the change that still needs to occur.
MLK
I think it is great that MLK has his own statue in DC. It is a great reminder for people to remember what he did and what he fought for. His statue is also inspirational for people to not give up in something they truly believe is wrong.
I’m elated that, as a nation,
I’m elated that, as a nation, we’ve honored a man whose indelible mark on the country is still tangible and I think it serves as a memorial for all the men and women who gave their lives in the struggle for racial equality in America. My sincerest hope is that it becomes not only a reminder of the sacrifices of Dr. King and the progress we have made as a nation, but a jarring incitement toward collective advancement of civil rights and social equality.
This statue is a great
This statue is a great reminder of the hardships that America has gone through, and proves that the United States has progressed far from the days of the Lynch Laws and Jim Crow laws. Hopefully, it will work to inspire more changes to come in this country. America has many ways that in can improve- more equality between races is essential, and the statue of MLK works to show all of those who are oppressing and discriminating against minorities that freedom can and will progress.
MLK
I also agree that it is a great thing that they have created a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. It reminds us of the great amount of work he has done to get equality in this country. His life was dedicated to this and moved so many people. But I don't know how he would feel about this if he saw it today somehow. I feel that he would not necessarily want this statue because he was just doing something that he wanted to do. He doesn't just want to be remembered as a hero but as someone who fought for equality and was just like any other normal person.
In honor of MLK
Wow. It is inspiring to hear that a new statue has been erected in our capital to commemorate one of our history's great heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe it is an important tool that can be used in the continuing reconciliation of the races here in the United States today. MLK is a personal hero of mine, and I agree that his legacy, not only of his life, but of his teachings and his philosophy as well, should be embraced by our country. The leadership that is found in MLK is rare. Not only does it take a certain skill set to obtain the great orator skills he had, but a solid theology and deep rooted faith in the goodness of people. Dr. King hoped against hope, had seemingly impossible dreams, and inspired millions of Americans to choose justice and fight for what is right through nonviolent resistance. Our society today is greatly indebted to Dr. King and the pursuit of his dream of racial equality.
I think it is wonderful that
I think it is wonderful that MLK is being memorialized, however I think the statue should be in a more public place where his dream can be admired. I don't think a mall is an appropriate place for a man who aspired to overlook people for their differences whether it was race, ethnicity, social status etc. Sadly, even today ignorance is still prevalent in the world. Every generation has an opportunity to learn from MLK and continue to aspire and build on what he had presented when he was alive.
Wasn't MLK memorialized when
Wasn't MLK memorialized when we instituted MLK day? I think it is sad that we have to erect a statue of a man to remind people of the incredible things he accomplished. Even with his national holiday being on the calendar, a vast majority of people just view it as a day off from work. I don't believe memorializing him is the way to spread awareness, I don't have a better idea, but I just don't believe that should be how people remember MLK.
Moving Forward
He has made a great impact for the African American society. He taught millions to speak against social injustice and that ever man and woman are created to be equal, regardless of race. This man was full of inspiration and courage to stand up against the white man during that time. I do think the money that was spent on the statue was unnecessary but he is a role model that every one should look up to.
Silence is Not an Option
I think it is crucial to speak to our kids, future generations about the importance of acceptance, no matter what religion, color, etc. It is our duty to teach them to not invest in the destructive cycles of stereotypes. A good example is living like Martin Luther King did and never backing down on an something you believe in!
silence
I also agree that teaching our children acceptance is curcial, especially with todays diversity.
When I was growing up I was not exposed to the diversity there is today, even the kids that lived on post were segregated from the public schools. My elementary school had very little diversity, so exposure to different ethinicities and races was almost unheard of. I hope that I have set a good example for my children regarding acceptance so that they can do the same with their childen, and hopefully one day all of the hate and anger will subside.
Without the work of Martin
Without the work of Martin Luther King Jr. the African American culture would not be what it is today. He taught people that no matter what is happening in the world there is always a way to improve your life. At times, it may be very difficult to improve and move up in the world but through dedication and hard work most anything is possible. King also helped influence other races because he taught them to stand up for things that they thought were unjust. His teachings did not apply solely to the African American race. The lessons that he taught, most likely influence, people very often.
Children as teachers
I strongly believe that MLK Jr. wanted the younger generations to take the flicker that he and so many others started and let it grow into a flame. I agree silence is not an option and you can not change the past. Knowing this I truly believe it is up to my generation and the younger generations to fight social, economic, and education inequalities. One step that will help us to fight these inequalities is acknowledgment. After acknowledgment we must consider our own values and beliefs and see if we ourselves hold any negative views. Most importantly, we can strive to break this unjust cycle by teaching our children the right messages and lessons. By doing this, our children have a better chance to learn equality and bring change to this world.
Martin a Classy figure
I believe that Martin's work was noble and in a sense very classy. Usually classy is a term to describe females, but I believe it also describes Martin. He fought hard for something that he wanted, but with beautifully scripted words and a push for anti-violence. If he were to see the world now he would be very happy about some of the advancements made. He would also feel hurt that somethings haven't drastically changed. Taking the time to finally be heard, fighting for a cause he pursued his whole life, and bringing a community together are just three reasons why a statue is necessary. Everything he has done influences me to think that more cultures should have leaders like Martin, ones that publicly address major concerns. Races need a head of their cause that people can relate with and meaningful words need to be spoken. Speeches now are only heard by Presidents, people in charge, celebrities, and families when their children have gone missing. Where are the moving broadcasted speeches that fight for the rights that people rightfully deserve. I am influenced to think that the movement Martin started was powerful and effective for a reason and some of his tactics of speech giving and community involvement need to be utilized.
The Martin Luther King Memorial
Dr. King was a good example of a positive way to motivate change. He did so not with hatred and anger, but with love and a Christian attitude. His work is inspiring because he accomplished more using love than so many others did with violence. It is hard to imagine where we would be if he had not courage to speak out, and the patience to do it the way he did. Our first reaction is to act in anger when we see injustice, but Dr. King knew that would not get his cause very far. I am moved by his ability to show love and inspire so many people in the face of violence. Dr. King has influenced me to look for a positive way to tackle issues of injustice. I find myself getting frustrated with the injustices in our society and my first reaction is anger at the ignorance of others. Looking at the work of Dr. King helps inspire me to approach an issue with Christian love.
Already A Part Of My Ethical Worldview
It is very apparent that Martin Luther King did amazing things throughout his lifetime. He was a dedicated man that knew what he wanted, and he strove to do everything in his power to get it. He did not back down, and spend his entire life dedicated to that cause. I personally think that it is very cool that he now has a memorial, it has been a long time coming, and it should have already been built. The influence of Martin Luther King started affecting my parents generation (the baby boomers), and it is because of them that I now see the world the way that I do. This influence is not something that I will be able to grasp because it is how I was raised. It is an innate part of who I am. However, I believe that we can learn how to live our lives from Martin Luther King. We need to be dedicated to what we do, give it our undivided attention; and if something comes along that we can change, we should change it.
Martin Luther King
I am so thankful for what Martin Luther King did with his life. I am glad that he risked his life everyday to lead the civil rights movement. He changed history so much and nothing would be the way it is now if he hadn't stood up for what he believed in. I think that it is great that they made a statue of him in Washington. We should be reminded everyday of how lucky we are and why we have the rights we have today. It is a story we should pass down from generation to generation. We need to make sure that our kids know how to handle situations dealing with race. We can decrease the racism in the world by teaching our children the right ways.
Testament to Dreams
I think that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a good man. At least, that’s what I thought when I first learned of him back in the 1st Grade. Since then, I’ve learned how momentous his actions were, and that he was trying to make the world a better place. He did that, not through politics or violence, but through peaceful protests, gatherings, and movements. He saw everyone as people, not as “them” and “us”, and worked hard to keep both sides from getting hurt. Perhaps, most importantly, he did not try to grab for power so as to push his views onto the people. He appealed directly to our feelings of love and concern for our fellow man, walked among us, and tried to help people get along a little better. That’s what the monument is being built for. It’s not just to celebrate his deeds, but it is to stand as a testament to his ideas and his dreams. It is not just an honor, but a sign that we, as a nation (and a people) hold his values up high as a guide for our generation, others that come later. “We are trying to change ourselves for the better”, is what this monument says.
A Symbol for Change
I think symbols are one way that we as a society can express something larger and abstract. A statue of Dr. King is a mere symbol of his legacy, a legacy that lives on. Yet, it is not hard to see the numerous challenges still present in our society, some that the author mentions. From economic disparities to racial and ethnic inequality, to prejudice and hatred still alive and well even in the most progressive communities it is clear we are NOT there yet. I think it is time for another movement; one that like the one Dr. King led dares to defy the legitimacy of the status quo and push for a more equal and just future. Perhaps “Occupy Wall Street” is the beginning of such a movement, only time will tell. One thing is clear though, as we are now able to see the symbolic constant reminder of Dr. King we can’t simply stand by as inequalities and hatred persist, rather it must serve as motivation and inspiration to become the change we want to see.
The Time for Change is Now
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of change who fought with passion for what he believed in which was equality for all races. Even though there were many against him he continued on his journey and managed to change the lives of people all around him. He showed the world that people can fight and stand up for what they believe through non violent activism. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of change who preached that the change needed to start immediately and would have to start with in ourselves. This idea still stands strong today. If we want to see change in this world, then we need to be the change. The youth is the future and if we do not set a good example for the youth then we will never see change. Racism has been around because we have continued to keep it around and will not end until we make it end. The journey of Martin Luther King, Jr. has helped me realize that the change needs to start now and that I can help be a part of that change.
Radical Teachings
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who lived by principles. He operated through these principles in everything that he did. Yet in many schools, all that is taught about him is his fight for the Black community. Little time or page space is given to his fight for economic justice. His passionate words against the Vietnam war are often glossed over. Even his refusal to use violence is reduced to a political ploy, instead of a way of life.
While delivering a speech, a man rushed the stage on which Dr. King was orating. This man ran at Dr. King, obviously looking to attack him before guards could break up the fight. But Dr. King innocently dropped his hands to the side, refusing to engage in violence, even to physically protect himself. Non-violence was an integral part of who he was.
Dr. King is rightfully known for championing civil rights, but we do him a disservice when we extol his work in that arena, yet forget his words and example . The man certainly deserves to be better taught in schools and have statues and memorials, but let us remember him for all that he stood for, and not allow our memories of him to be only of one issue.
I concur
You my friend could not have put it in better words. I do agree about the merit of actually being better taught in schools, this man deserves that and more. What I do not agree with is the statues, I understand he does means a lot to many issues and the idea is to respect or honor what he did or initiated, but the struggle is yet to be over, thus no celebration. We can have memorials, days dedicated to the man who initiated to end the struggle, but to simply praise the beginning makes no sense to me. A statue to represents the a new way of life, and as of now I do not think there is a new way of life, just an awareness to make a better life, we still need to fix the system. What do you think about that? I don't know if that makes sense to you or if I made my self clear?
Generation
Martin Luther king’s example of a world without prejudice has always burned in my heart. I feel that with each generation a new level of acceptance and understanding is reached. I am still unsure how I have come to see the world as I do given how my parents and grandparents tried to teach me. I think in the end I have taught them more about acceptance then they were willing to learn. We have had many late night discussions about this. I hope that I can teach my children to be open minded loving caring and excepting .I dream of a new generation with no discrimination although it may take longer then I hope, I do think the day is coming. This statue is just a statue, but it is also a reminder, and a wake-up call to everyone to keep this wonderful man’s dream alive and prospering.
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