Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

I'd appreciate it if folks would show due respect for Martin Luther King, Jr. by leaving the negativity and ugliness out of your posts. The negative comments show a lack of honor and respect for him, his memory, his efforts and his sacrifice.

Thank you.

 

Thank you, Mikey. :smt023

 

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Martin Luther King Jr.: The Man and the Movement
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...nt/2008/04/02/gIQAGXzFMJ_gallery.html#photo=1

 

It looks like it would be a trip worth taking.

If the weather is too bad & they don't reschedule, I'm sure there will a lot of folks who don't get out in it. Of course I'm sure some will go regardless, so hopefully it won't get too bad out there.

 

MLK Jr. Quotes

"Are we seeking power for power’s sake? Or are we seeking to make the world and our nation better places to live. If we seek the latter, violence can never provide the answer. The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."


"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."


"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent."


"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."


"Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals."


"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."


"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."


"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"


"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."


"Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek."


"Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness."


"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him."


"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."​

 

He's holding his "I Have a Dream" speech.

 

Martin Luther King Jr Trivia

January 20, 1986 was the first national celebration of King's birthday as a holiday.

Won Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1964.

Was stabbed in 1958 while promoting his book, "Stride Toward Freedom".

Graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, PA, with a B.D. in 1951.

Became pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1960.

Earned Ph.D. in systematic theology in 1955.

Spouse: Coretta Scott King (Married from 18 June 1953 - 4 April 1968 [his death]) with 2 daughters, 2 sons

Children: Yolanda King (b. 1955), Martin Luther King III (b. 1957), Dexter King (b. 1961), Bernice King (b. 1963).

Graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, in 1948.

January 20, 1986 was the third Monday in January, and consequently, the third Monday in January is an official holiday in the U.S. honoring Dr. King. To date, all 50 states observe the King holiday.

Birth name: Michael Luther King Jr.

His father was also named Michael Luther King, but changed his first name to Martin when he became a minister. The younger Michael changed his name to Martin as well, initially against his father's wishes.

Is the only U.S. citizen to have a national holiday dedicated to him.

Pictured on a 15¢ US commemorative postage stamp in the Black Heritage USA series, issued 13 January 1979.

Was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Time Magazine's "Man of the Year" (1963)

Pictured on a commerative 25 cent postage label issued by the (now defunct) Independent Postal System of America in 1973.

Was a Trekkie (a fan of the original "Star Trek" (1966) TV series).

Encouraged Nichelle Nichols to remain on the original "Star Trek" (1966) series (according to William Shatner's "Star Trek Memories").

Subject of the U2 song "Pride (In the Name of Love)" from their 1984 album "The Unforgettable Fire".

Santa Monica auditorium named in his honor with daughter Yolanda King officiating and performer/activist Anthony Begonia organizing the music. [January 2006]

He stated that he would not live to be 40. He died aged 39.

Is portrayed by LeVar Burton in Ali (2001).

Among his personal, non-violent reform heroes was Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948).

During the funeral, his casket was pulled by a mule-driven cart down Atlanta's main street.

Was a vegetarian.

Publicly spoke out against the Vietnam War in 1967.

On King's 60th birthday in 1988, the U.S. government unveiled a statue memorial of his likeness, to commemorate the progress of civil rights.

Grandfather of Yolanda Renee King.

Younger brother of Willie Christine King and Alfred Daniel King.

Son of Martin Luther King and Alberta Williams King.

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Thanks for the update, Mikey.

 

About the Memorial

About the Memorial

Justice | Democracy | Hope | Love...

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is conceived of as an engaging landscape experience tied to other landscapes and monuments, not as a single object or memorial dominating the site. The composition of the memorial utilizes landscape elements to powerfully convey four fundamental and recurring themes throughout Dr. King's message: justice, democracy, hope and love. The semicircular geometry of the memorial, juxtaposed within the triangular configuration of the site, engages the Tidal Basin and frames views to the water.



Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The main entrance through the crescent-shaped inscription wall is aligned along the axis of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, placing this memorial directly in line with the larger democratic ideals that form the context for King's words and deeds. The memorial is envisioned as a quiet and receptive space, yet at the same time, powerful and emotionally evocative, reflecting the spirit of the message Dr. King delivered and the role he played in society.

The King Memorial is intended to be personally transformative for visitors, building a sense of commitment to the promise of positive change and active citizenship. Drawing from Dr. King's own rich metaphorical language, the themes of "the Man, the Movement and the Message" are intertwined into a larger experience of place.

Sculpture



At the entry portal, two stones are parted and a single stone wedge is pushed forward toward the horizon; the missing piece of what was once a single boulder. The smooth insides of the portal contrast the rough outer surfaces of the boulder. Beyond this portal, the stone appears to have been thrust into the plaza, wrested from the boulder and pushed forward – it bears signs of a great monolithic struggle.

On the visible side of the stone, the theme of hope is presented, with the text from King's famed 1963 speech cut sharply into the stone: "Out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope." On the other side are inscribed these words: "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness”, a statement suggested by Dr. King himself when describing how he would like to be remembered.

The boulder is the Mountain of Despair, through which every visitor will enter, moving through the struggle as Dr. King did during his life, and then be released into the open freedom of the plaza. The solitary stone is the Stone of Hope, from which Dr. King’s image emerges, gazing over the Tidal Basin toward the horizon, seeing a future society of justice and equality for which he encouraged all citizens to strive.

Inscription Wall



The element of the memorial which truly captures Dr. King’s legacy is the Inscription Wall – this element transforms a mere monument into a living memorial. Fourteen of Dr. King’s most notable quotes are engraved on a 450-foot crescent shaped granite wall. The quotes span the too-short career of Dr. King, the earliest taken from his rise during the Montgomery Bus Boycotts in Alabama, 1955. The latest quote, appropriately, was taken from his last sermon delivered in Washington, DC at the National Cathedral in 1968, four days before his assassination.

The quotes are not placed chronologically, allowing any visitor to begin reading form any location within the memorial, not requiring them to follow a defined path.

The quotes selected are those which are most representative Dr. King’s universal and timeless messages of Justice, Democracy, Hope and Love. None of the inscriptions are from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, for several reasons. Primarily, the entire memorial design is derived from King’s most memorable speech; given the limited room for sharing his message and the breadth of his work, the overall design itself is the mark of respect for the moving words from 1963.

The other reason for not including the Dream Speech is that it is Dr. King’s best known speech out of the hundreds he delivered. It is the most taught piece of his work in schools, and, at minimum, the history books reference the famed speech when presenting Dr. King’s role in American History. But key messages that have and will continue to withstand the test of time are lesser known, and this memorial presented the opportunity to shift the focus of attention from one example of Dr. King’s inspirational words to many.

Trees



Along the Tidal Basin, Yoshino cherry blossom trees have thrived since 1912 – a gift from Japan as a sign of peace and unity. For only two weeks each spring, their tiny blossoms surround the Basin in a cloud of delicate pink and white. Spring resonates with the spirit of hope, rebirth and renewal; the King Memorial has added 182 cherry blossoms to the Tidal Basin’s collection. Poetically, each year the peak blooming period for the trees coincides with the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, April 4th.

To prolong the message of renewed hope embodied by the cherry trees, crape myrtles have also been planted in the memorial. Crape myrtles bloom throughout the summer months and into the fall, prolonging the burst of color and encouraging a sense of endurance and faith.

Along West Basin Drive and Independence Avenue 31 American elm trees have been planted, not only as the standard street tree of Washington, DC, but also as a border surrounding the memorial, embracing Dr. King as an American icon.

Water



Drawing on its location at the edge of the Tidal Basin, water is used as an essential element that builds on King's words and recalls most powerfully the theme of justice. The water appears only on either side of the main entry, not even visible until one has entered the memorial plaza. It is the sound of water “rolling down” that will draw a visitor’s attention. From this life-giving source, Dr. King’s message begins stretching away from the entrance, at once welcoming and yet daring the visitor to follow.

Composition and Space

This memorial is not designed to be experienced in a single way with one single message, but rather it is to have a broad accessibility, appealing to all of the senses with diverse and overlapping themes. The introduction of an arcing berm into the horizontal arrangement of the site encourages the Mountain of Despair to be a threshold; after crossing it the visitor is isolated from the traffic along Independence Avenue. The visitors are then free to view, sit, meet, speak and congregate in large and small groups throughout the plaza.

The use of water creates an audible buffer, further enhancing the sensation of being enveloped within the space. Mists will help cool the environment in the warm summer months and rough hewn stone will recall the movement of falling water in the cold winter months. The varied textures of water, stone and landscape will create an environment that is inviting and functional in all seasons and from year to year.

 

First interview with Martin Luther King from 1957

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Dr. King on Meet the Press 1960

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