The MLK Memorial: Made In China
By Wyatt Earp | August 24, 2011
China: Doing the jobs racist Americans just won’t do.
The 30ft-tall statue, the centerpiece of a $120 million, four-acre memorial to Dr King, opened to the public on Monday on the National Mall in Washington. It is the only memorial on the Mall that does not honor a president or fallen soldiers. Standing in the shadow of the Washington Monument, the statue shows Dr King emerging from a mountain of Chinese granite and is called The Stone of Hope.
However, there has been controversy over the choice of Lei Yixin, a 57-year-old master sculptor from Changsha in Hunan province, to carry out the work. Critics have openly asked why a black, or at least an American, artist was not chosen and even remarked that Dr King appears slightly Asian in Mr Lei’s rendering.
Maybe it’s because American artists were appalled that the King family extorted $800,000 from the project’s foundation to use Dr. King’s words and likeness?
Topics: Duct Tape Advisory | 13 Comments »
August 24th, 2011 at 7:28 am
I think that tremor we felt yesterday was MLK rolling over!! It always kills me when the family ruins the lifelong work of a man!
August 24th, 2011 at 7:38 am
Absurd and offensive…. I’m sure the Sweedish made Malcolm X statue will be much better.
August 24th, 2011 at 9:48 am
Howdy Wyatt! That the King family extorted $800, 000 comes as a surprise to me.
That they picked an Asian sculptor doesn’t bother me at all.
When they had the contest to select the designer of the Vietnam Veterans’ Wall in D.C., some of my fellow vets were upset because they chose Maya Lin who, though American, was born to Chinese parents. After seeing the Memorial for the first time, I was glad she was selected. It is indeed the art that counts, more than who created it.
August 24th, 2011 at 9:51 am
And now, for something completely outside the scope of this topic:
The latest news concerning Hurricane Irene: it is expected to skirt the Outer Bank islands off the coast of N.C. then move up the Atlantic, gathering more strength until she finally makes landfall in Massachusetts! And where is Martha’s Vineyard, where President Obama is having his vacation?
Yep, on the south coast of……………….Massachussetts!!!
Of course, this is just the currently predicted track of the Hurricane so we ought not get our hopes up too much, but even Mother Nature seems pissed off at President Obama!!
August 24th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Yep, on the south coast of……………….Massachussetts!!!
realwest Says:
August 24th, 2011 at 9:51
Now I want Hope & Change……………………
August 24th, 2011 at 11:50 am
And it barely looks like a Mao statue.
And white marble is a much-better choice than, say, bronze.
August 24th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Uhhhh…has anybody noticed the MLK statue seems mighty white?
August 24th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Danny – He would be ashamed of them for their actions.
Sully – Is it made from Swedish Fish?
Real – The extortion bothers me more than the Made in China label, but I see your point. As for the storm, “”
Andy – The final work seemed a little off to me.
Toothy – I was more freaked out by the angry look and the crossed arms. Just looks like he’s really pissed off.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
I agree, the crossed arms and facial expression do NOT look like a man that represented peaceful protest.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
1. I like the idea of this statue.
2. Why did the artist put him in such a defensive position with his arms crossed. (The only thing I remember from Ms. Klaiber’s 3rd grade class).
August 24th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Ingineer66 – Looks like a pose seen at a Malcolm X statue.
Randal – 1. I do, too, partly because private funds paid for most of it. Note to politicians: tax money won’t be needed for projects like this – especially if the honoree is above reproach.
2. Ms. Klaiber. Wow, that takes me back.
August 25th, 2011 at 10:29 am
Made in China….lead based paint…tainted toothpaste, cat food with melamine. This statue could be hazardous to your health.
August 25th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Wyat:
Dannytheman took the words from my mouth…
Dr. King Is indeed rolling in his grave.
We could (and SHOULD) have done (a LOT) better.
Stay safe.