Thoughts on the National MLK Memorial

Sculptor Lei Yixin with a model of his MLK statue destined for The Mall in DC

All Things Considered did a segment on the National MLK Memorial, which will be built on the Mall, between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. The inspiration for the statue that will dominate the memorial is from King's "I Have A Dream" speech:

In the original design for the MLK memorial, a bust of King emerges almost organically out of the side of the Stone of Hope. To get to the stone, a visitor would walk through two rocks symbolizing the Mountain of Despair. That design won the competition set up by the U.S. Fine Arts Commission, the federal agency that approves anything that gets built on the National Mall. But in the new model for the statue, King is much bigger. His arms are crossed defiantly and he has a solemn look on his face

The commission overseeing the project thinks MLK is too harsh, severe, in his expression. I'm good with that. MLK shouldn't be turned into Uncle Fluffy. I'd like to put up a copy of that statue outside Vitty-cent's office door, and another one outside Scalise's office-when he gets to DC to remind those pigs that the world is watching them.