Some Don't Agree Says Memorial Design Misrepresents MLK Jr.

[LdyJ]

After decades of planning, construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. is set to begin this April on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Although there are memorials of King around the country, this is supposed to be the King memorial to trump all King memorials. It will also be the first memorial on the Mall honoring an African American.

Not all of King's supporters are happy, however. In fact, some of those who have pushed hardest for the memorial to be built are now saying that the memorial is an affront to the iconic civil rights leader's legacy. Central to the debate is the nationality of the artist commissioned to create the 30-foot-high statue of King; sculptor Lei Yixin is a Chinese national.

"It's an insult. This is America and, believe me, there's enough talent in this country that we do not need to go out of the country to bring someone in to do the work," says Gwen Moore of the California Chapter of the NAACP, which recently passed a resolution against the selection of Lei.

"Basically, the resolution points out that to have a country that has one of the worst human rights records be in charge of the monument is a slap in the face," Moore says.

Other objections fall along aesthetic lines.

"Dr. King never stood like that, nor wore clothes like that, nor did he look like that. It is a shameful tragedy," says Ed Dwight, an African-American sculptor who submitted a model for the project that lost out to Lei's. "Even a Chinese critic said the design looked like a very big Chinese black man."



Central to the debate is the nationality of the artist commissioned to create the 30-foot-high statue of King; sculptor Lei Yixin is a Chinese national.Lei Yixin's sculpture of Martin Luther King Jr. will be located on the National Mall near the site where he gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. NPR : Image : Martin Luther King Jr. Sculpture NPR : Image : MLK Sculpture Lei's sculptures of one particular Chinese man — Mao Zedong – are also at issue. The idea that an artist who has created memorials to someone who has killed and imprisoned millions would be the one to create the most important sculpture to date of King, has some people reeling.

Harry Johnson, the head of the MLK memorial foundation, says that critics are ignoring the real reasons that Lei was chosen.

"I think it's their right to voice their opinion. I respect their right, number one. But number two, I don't think they have all the facts on Lei and why he was chosen," Johnson says.

The design committee chose Lei because there was no African-American sculptor who could do a 30-foot statue, specifically in granite, Johnson says. Furthermore an African-American architecture firm is still in charge of the overall design. Also, Lei was persecuted and imprisoned by the Chinese government, Johnson says, so it is unfair to align him with it.

"I believe Dr. King stood for all people of the world," says Johnson. "His message was we should not judge color of skin, but content of character — artistic character."NPR : Some Say Memorial Design Misrepresents MLK Jr.

[Sumyr]

If these are the pictures of how the actual statue will look, I don't think it is that far off from Dr. King. I see a striking resemblance in both the statue and the picture. Also, as stated "NO AFRICAN AMERICAN SCULPTORS" could create a 30 foot statue.

Furthermore, what has Dr. King's family said regarding the statue? If they aren't saying anything and are happy, others should keep their mouths closed and stop complaining and finding fault with everything.

[afrocentric]

i'm agreeing with you sumyr. i really don't see any problem with it and it looks good to me.

[Mr Gumbo]

I don't see the problem either. Me personally I don't like that his arms are folded but that's no big problem at all.

[Samoon]

I take exception that it took DECADES to commemorate this great human. Lincoln was a slave-holder, yet there is a statue of his likeness? Considering the fact that this is a war-mongering country (and your biggest gang-banger is that tricky-dyck sitting up there in that "white" house), yep, this country certainly has her priorities mixed up.

Things that make you go hmmm? Personally, I am not extending my palm to receive any reparations, but the "time frame" in King's scenario gives me a good glimpse of how long it would take---if reparations were put on the agenda.

[Curious1]

Shoot...not to be funny..but MLK's REAL LIVE photograph looks more Asian than the sculpture their complaining about does ...JMO...

Shoot, at least it does resemble him...We have to live with a statue of Tupac Shakur, here in the ATL...that looks SOOOOOooo n ot like him At the Heck All...

Bu this MLK piece here from this angle and from the picture...looks pretty good...to me..Love the brown granite stone...nice...

Oh yeah...I don't know how we can criticize the asian sculptor ..but it is STUPID and so dumb to say in the whole USA and Hawaii and Alaska...there was not ONE African American who could manage this request...NONE....oh..kkkaaaayyy

[afrocentric]

Originally Posted by Curious1

Shoot...not to be funny..but MLK's REAL LIVE photograph looks more Asian than the sculpture their complaining about does ...JMO...

Shoot, at least it does resemble him...We have to live with a statue of Tupac Shakur, here in the ATL...that looks SOOOOOooo n ot like him At the Heck All...

Bu this MLK piece here from this angle and from the picture...looks pretty good...to me..Love the brown granite stone...nice...

Oh yeah...I don't know how we can criticize the asian sculptor ..but it is STUPID and so dumb to say in the whole USA and Hawaii and Alaska...there was not ONE African American who could manage this request...NONE....oh..kkkaaaayyy

[Sumyr]

Originally Posted by Curious1

Shoot...not to be funny..but MLK's REAL LIVE photograph looks more Asian than the sculpture their complaining about does ...JMO...

Shoot, at least it does resemble him...We have to live with a statue of Tupac Shakur, here in the ATL...that looks SOOOOOooo n ot like him At the Heck All...

Bu this MLK piece here from this angle and from the picture...looks pretty good...to me..Love the brown granite stone...nice...

Oh yeah...I don't know how we can criticize the asian sculptor ..but it is STUPID and so dumb to say in the whole USA and Hawaii and Alaska...there was not ONE African American who could manage this request...NONE....oh..kkkaaaayyy

Curious1, That was the part I most had the problem with. How come "NO" African Americans could sculpt the statue - not a single one. Seems like these nay-sayers of the statue should be more upset that no one from our own community could accomplish this task for our very own. I'd say we (the sculptors) should let this be a lesson and step up our game so as this NEVER happens again.

Not only should be we able to sculpt a 30 feet statue, but take it even further and far and beyond the competition and sculpt a 50 feet statue. Makes me wonder if it were true or not that the Egyptians were black. How can this be so when they built pyramids gracing 100's of feet and we can't even produce a 30 feet statue?!?!?!?