The creation of a monument in the capital is an impactful way to honor the legacy of such an accomplished man as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose holiday is acknowledged every January.
The Martin Luther King, Jr monument is located at 1964 Independence Avenue in Washington, DC. The address commemorates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which was passed thanks to King’s influence.
Designed by a San Francisco architectural firm, the monument is known as the “ Stone of Stope.” Standing at 30 feet tall, it was unveiled October 16, 2011. Made of granite block, it also sits in perfect view of both the Jefferson and Lincoln monuments.
The monument contains a carving of King designed by a Chinese sculptor named Lei Yixin. Surrounding that carving are the words, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” These words are derived from King’s renowned “I Have a Dream” speech. In addition to this carving, there is a wall that surrounds the monument containing various quotes from his speeches.
King’s “I Have a Dream” oratory, delivered on the Lincoln Memorial Steps in 1963, emphasized his hope for a future where racial discrimination was not an issue. With his deft articulation of powerful words, he was able to paint a vision of a society that judged people not by their race but by their character. His rendition of “I Have a Dream” gave many Americans, black and white, the motivation they needed to join the movement for equality.
Junior Joaquin Martinelli added an interesting fact about King’s famous speech.
“The ‘I Have a Dream’ part of his speech was not in his original draft. It was something that he improvised while talking,” explained Joaquin.
Today, the monument is more than just a place to honor such an accomplished man. It’s a place for people of all ages and places to come and pay their respect. It’s a place where his legacy can be kept alive, serving as a reminder to never give up on dreams or goals, and that equality is a battle no one must ever surrender.
“I visited this monument when I went to Washington, DC a few years ago and I found it to be a place that leaves an impact on you,” said junior Paloma Rosania.
