You Must Be Trippin'

MLK Memorial In Washington D.C.

January 16 2012 by Mike Mason

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day we take a look at the new MLK National Memorial that stands as a tribute to the great civil rights icon, Dr. King. In what has quickly become one of the must-visit sites in Washington D.C. the memorial is a mixture of water, stone and landscape that is tied to other landscapes and monuments.

Perhaps most recognized is the sculpture of Dr. King that stands 30 feet high and is made of granite. The sculpture and memorial site took 15 years of planning and construction to complete. The sculpture stands in the center of a semicircular geometry of the memorial and is juxtaposed with the Tidal Basin and views to the water. Visitors will walk through an entry portal, which is two stones that are parted and a single stone wedge pushed forward toward the horizon; the missing piece of what was once a single boulder. This single stone wedge contains the sculpture and bears the text from King's famed 1963 speech: "Out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope." On the other side are inscribed these words: "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness." As of this month though, there has been talk to change the inscription to read directly from his speech and not out of context, the inscription should soon read: "If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

Surrounding the memorial are cherry blossoms (a Washington D.C. hallmark) that will be in full bloom during the spring. It is only fitting that the MLK memorial is aligned with the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials to demonstrate just how much the civil rights icon meant to the ideals of our country and its citizens.

If you're traveling to the Washington D.C. area in 2012 be sure to take some time to experience the memorial, and if during spring, the amazing cherry blossoms that surround the site. There are plenty of Best Western's to stay at while you're there and you can book here.

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Categories : Are We There Yet?

Tags : best western, best western ashington d.c., martin luther king jr., MLK memorial, Washington D.C.

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