I took this photo at the Martin King Memorial on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Its dedication had been planned for the following day, the 48th anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech, but was later delayed due to Hurricane Irene’s approach. Nevertheless, when we visited the memorial we were surrounded by families, groups of schoolchildren, and community groups who’d chosen to come despite the weather. Looking around at our fellow visitors, I was struck by how powerful it was to finally have a memorial on the Mall to an African American man.* Reading the quotes around the memorial, I was struck by the power of having a memorial to someone who fought for peace rather than in war. It’s invaluable to have this natural stopping point among the many memorials to wartime presidents and soldiers; tourists will see a counterpoint previously unrepresented in the memorials that reflect our nation’s values. I was and am filled with gratitude to Martin Luther King, Jr., his colleagues in the struggle for civil rights, and the people who persisted in the effort to get this memorial the space it deserves on the Mall. *There are memorials for African American soldiers, but never before to one specific person. 
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I took this photo at the Martin King Memorial on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Its dedication had been planned for the following day, the 48th anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech, but was later delayed due to Hurricane Irene’s approach. Nevertheless, when we visited the memorial we were surrounded by families, groups of schoolchildren, and community groups who’d chosen to come despite the weather. Looking around at our fellow visitors, I was struck by how powerful it was to finally have a memorial on the Mall to an African American man.* Reading the quotes around the memorial, I was struck by the power of having a memorial to someone who fought for peace rather than in war. It’s invaluable to have this natural stopping point among the many memorials to wartime presidents and soldiers; tourists will see a counterpoint previously unrepresented in the memorials that reflect our nation’s values. I was and am filled with gratitude to Martin Luther King, Jr., his colleagues in the struggle for civil rights, and the people who persisted in the effort to get this memorial the space it deserves on the Mall. 


*There are memorials for African American soldiers, but never before to one specific person. 

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