Build the Dream: The Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial Project

The National Mall in Washington D.C is made up of one of the nation's largest parkland's. It is home to the Vietnam veterans , Korean War , and World War Two Memorials ,as well as The Washington Monument , Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Museum . All of these monuments commemorate the lives and works of men who have given in great sacrifice to this country and created a change for the better in our lives. The National Mall has been home to protests, that ultimately changed the face of history as well. In a place that seems to harbor so much goodwill toward change one might have wondered where the monuments are to those who have given so much to the citizens of this country through tireless civil rights leadership, but they need wonder no longer.

An organization called The Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial Project has begun to raise funds to build just such a monument in honor of Dr. King. The goal according to the website is to build a monument, but they may well be making history! In September 2007 the 'Dream Concert' fundraiser for the memorial at Radio City Music Hall sold out with performances by Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana , Stevie Wonder and Garth Books topping the bill. Viacom has become one of the biggest project supporters donating a million dollars in funds and another half a million in media support to help reach the projects goal of 100 million dollars. Other large contributors have been General Motors at ten million dollars and Tommy Hilfiger at five million dollars. Don't feel outclassed by all these corporate sponsors, though, The Build The Dream Store and Donation page offer opportunities for those of us with smaller purses to make a contribution, too!

According to the website and leaflet information the monument is planned to include flowing water and cooling mist in the summer months which will be echoed in the textured stone throughout the cold weather season. A set of 24 niches along the upper walkway will commemorate the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to the civil rights movement with a number of other niches left empty for those who may come in the future. The overall pattern of the monument is designed to give the viewer a processional experience of reverence throughout the monuments entirety.

The concert and fund raising are hailed as huge accomplishments, but none can compare with the life and works of the man himself. Martin Luther King, Jr
is most remembered for his place as an orator. His speeches , as is the case with all great orators, were simultaneously simple to understand and powerful to those who heard his words. Dr. King spoke from a place that exists within all of us, but few of us ever listen to. He began life simply enough as a Baptist preacher, but was thrust into a leading position in the civil rights movement by his own conscience. In a short time he became the world's youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, and an icon to a nation. While his life was cut short by hatred his message of equality has never been dampened. The life of a man such as Martin Luther King, Jr. should serve as a reminder to all of us, what better place to remind the Nation than from our own National Mall.