She did attend those that she was invited to. Her words were obviously not paid attention to. A shame when you consider the depth of her understanding and ability as a writer.

IN the US, we have something called Unions that make everything blown out of proportion, when it comes to price. The Chinese produced him to spec, on time and half of what our unions, the guys that have crippled our nation, would charge.

Maya's just jealous a statue wasn't made of her even though she's been alive a lot longer than MLK was and she's probably pissed off because when someone mentions her name, they think Maya-the-Bee instead.

Who's Maya the Bee? Never heard of??

Simple solution if it really rubs her the wrong way, put a human-sized plaque with the thing the way it was originally beneath the 30 foot tall version.

Or just go back to your holier-than-thou pulpit and consider your true misfortune at being born. Your choice.

Renee Love

Who's Maya the Bee? Never heard of??

Youtube it, you'll see what I'm talking about

I just have to say the Statue is Awesome. hooray America for honoring one of the good guys.

I think Maya is completely missing the meaning of the end of the statement...

"And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

And if she wants to make the argument that the paraphrased quote makes him seem arrogant, etc...I would argue the same might be said about the idea of having a statue idolized in his image - isn't that kind of the epitome of egoism?

And if she cared so much, why didn't she attend the meetings of which she was responsible for being a council member?

Not knowing the space limitations for the carving, I would think it could of been paraphrased a little bit better - change the font size or something! But knowing the historical MLK Jr, what they used certainly doesn't change my perception of his legacy! And I can't wait to visit the site!!!

It was argued by the committee that oversaw the completion of the statue that there was not enough room on the stone for the entire quote. The way I see it, the misquote took two lines, in fairly large lettering. The entire quote, in its full context, would take eight lines. It appears to me there would be plenty of room on the side of the stone for the whole quote without the need for careless paraphrasing. I doubt the sculptor was being lazy about it but the committee was certainly lacking due diligence and care to the project to do it as they have.

I agree with Angelou. King would never identify himself in grandiose terms, marking himself with some higher label than man. He did, however, recognize that others did see him in such glorified and glorious contexts. He acknowledged there would be some desire to memorialize him after his death and he said, essentially, if you want to put those grand labels on me and call me by some great names, at least let it be known I did it for the right reasons.

It is s beautiful memorial to an incredible man. I think they need to sandblast the quote off the side and do it right, even if it means they will need to make the lettering a half inch smaller!

I admire Ms. Angelou, and respect any comment that she might contribute. Perhaps it is her words taken out of context.

She's entirely correct - they should not have misrepresented the quote. Words are powerful things, and they seemed to be even more powerful when fashioned by Dr. King...

He knew there was a great deal at stake, and thus fashioned his words and phrases as would an artist creating a tangible work.

Part of his brilliance was in realizing that a carefully crafted phrase could touch more hearts and minds than any weapon - And to that end.. This was one of the great men of the last century and his words and ideas should be carefully preserved.

We who are familiar with Dr. King and his message would never conclude he was anything other than what we know. We all know the gist of that sermon and its up to us to correct any misperceptions.

Should have attended the meetings, not "should of"

Unions ruined America???? Unions got you weekends off, 8 hr workday, unemployment, safety regs, and a whole lot more. Quit crying.

C'mon Maya. Of course he was egotistical. He was a Republican.

You, on the other hand, are a mind-numbed Plantationcrat.

Good thing he was black, or you'd be saying he was a racist and undeserving of the memorial.

Liberal Patriot? A true double negative in its purest form, and unfortunately like leprechauns does not exist.

Please, get off the bash Maya boat. She's correct, it is a tad banal and insipid when compared to all his other writings and sermons. Drum major? As to his being a republican, who cares. The man was far greater that anything as banal and shallow as some of these posts.

@joe

Once again no matter what the topic some skull turns it in to their political rant.

They should scrap this statue and start over. MLK was to important to the history of this Country. It doesn't look like him either.

If they had not been made to pay the King family $800,000 for the right to make a statue they could have included more wor...

bklynj: Agree. It doesn't look like him and his words should be as He spoke them. Too important to the history of this country to be short shucked.

This is all a bunch of crap, his I have a dream speech did nothing to set aside "equality based on the content of their character and not on the color of their skin" I was blatantly turned down for a job because I wasn't a Native American, even though the ad never said a word about "Indian Preference". Do you think I could get justice? Or even have my application reviewed? No just received a nice letter from the Federal Government telling me to screw myself because I wasn't the right color.

So all you Liberal/Progressives put that in your pipe and smoke it, equal rights my A$$.

It's a good thing that most of us know who really MartinLK was, and even without any words, we know that he was a great man, and not arrogant or anything like that.

She should be more concerned with the statue being made in China though...That is not very nice

Here in Florida you cant hardly get a job unless you are Hispanic, when one makes it to manager they get rid of the blacks and whites and hire their relatives, come to Orlando and go in the parts stores and resturants etc. and see what I am talking about.The white people dont stick together anymore they are to busy stabbing each other in the back and are made to feel guilty because of political correctness.

uh, excuse me Matt- but Dr. King would be for the Union, the union did not cripple the U.S. The union is just here to make sure workers have a fair share at the work they do and not be taken advantage of by the big corporations or big business, i.e. state government to the sanitation workers. Just sayin'. God Bless America, and, Well done Dr. Martin Luther King.

Why don't you ask the Teamsters, the Steel workers, Coal Miners, and Auto workers how that union thing worked out for them. Yes;; i see you mention the government workers who are bilking the tax payers out of every last penny we have. and don't give me that crap that you pay taxes. It takes five or six persons taxes to pay you; and so big deal you give 30% back to taxes; but you get a free cushy retirement plan paid for by tax payers. The Unions chased all the good factory jobs overseas. If you work hard the companies will pay you a fair share. Instead we get to pay you and others like you to sit on your backside. No thanks; I have enough of this crap. Ban labor unions, Political Parties; and all Lobbyist. America as it was established; Individual freedoms; Not some blackmail strong arm tactics from labor unions and the like.

Of all the great words this man has penned, a comparison to a drum major albeit what ever description, is an out rage . King was Courage in the face of imminent death, faith during a era of hopelessness, light in the pit of darkness . If a drum major could possibly fit these acheivements into there jobs relevance then I would say etch these words in a monument even out of context, if you really must , but that is not the case.

King was a prolific writer , so much so he was able to speak against a evil so pervasive that it was institutionalized by a nation, revered even by its subjugated victims, Civil Rights was'nt even a dream until after its reality do you really think those tortured frightened individuals could see what King envisioned? I think they were just desperate souls doing what it took to survive their reality. I never thought i would see a black president, I may have voted for him but i only beleived after he was inaugurated. King freed a people redeemed a nation and served a God that would require no less, on his monument leave his words as spoken by him ,as intended by him, and it would do not harm to future generations if those words shun light on his steadfastness his courage and his sacrifice. ......drum major really?

Matt you should take your commie asp over to China and live with them since you have such a problem with people making a living wage here.

thewordsmith is right: "sandblast the quote off the side and do it right, even if it means they will need to make the lettering a half inch smaller." It's wrong to misquote or take out of context the original words. Or if it doesn't fit, then put in an authentic quote that will.

Angelou is correct to make the observation, BUT she should have voiced her opinion to the committee long before and not in public AFTER it was already up and displayed. Shows her lack of interest and irresponsible attitude, which seems odd since she appreciated Dr. King.

If they did not have the space for the size letters used, they could have used a smaller size type. Or they could have used the dots (...) in between the words, so that (hopefully) people would reconize that it is not a complete quotation.

I don't care that the statue was made in China. I care that it was made in China because the USA has become so unfriendly to business that China was the better choice to find a firm to make it. I also don't think MLK was as great as he is revered to be. It's akin to the way we lionize JFK--it has as much or more to do with his life being shortened than with his own accomplishments. Not to say he is meaningless, or even average, just not quite the demi-God most seem to imagine.

As far as the blatherings of Maya Angelou...perhaps if the press in the USA paid more attention to this fairly insignificant intellect we would not have heard about her criticisms here. I doubt her point is motivated by anything but a deep desire to be liked and loved by an America I think she has never understood or appreciated properly.

Matt2631617;

You sir, are a moron. Few, if any Sculptors, the artisans who traditionally craft these sorts of things, are members of labor unions. There are literally hundreds of American sculptors who would have be honored to craft this monument. Sadly, our governments debt additions dictates that now even our national monuments be done by China or any other country besides the U.S. Wow, how far we have come. Now we don't even allow our own people to craft national monuments. What's next, bring in Chinese stone cutters to finish the Crazy Horse monument? Has the government no shame? Clearly not.

Perhaps, my myopic friend, when you are sitting around watching your TV made in Taiwan, wearing you clothes made in Vietnam, by 5 and 6 year olds, driving you Japanese car, bitching about not being able to find a decent job, the correlation might, just might dawn on you, but, I doubt it.

As to labor unions, they brought you safe working conditions, child labor laws, health insurance, paid vacations, paid holidays and everything else you anti union scabs enjoy and take for granted as a right. What a pity you don't learn the history of the labor movement before posting idiotic comments that reveal the true lack of intellect you so unabashedly display in public. What a pity you hold such an uninformed opinion, but hey, why should you be different than the rest of the mindless rabble espousing nonsense as if fact.

Why don't you ask the Teamsters, the Steel workers, Coal Miners, and Auto workers how that union thing worked out for them. Yes;; i see you mention the government workers who are bilking the tax payers out of every last penny we have. Angryveteran- Really?? You think the unionists all held hands to have their jobs transferred to other Countries? It was Big Business that wanted a bigger windfall in their greedy pockets, not the union workers. Sure the union workers want a better way of life for all, that is what the unionist want. But Big business saw a loophole and that loophole is third world countries working countless hours for meaningless wages. As you being a veteran, you should know about this. What do you think we would have if we didn't have Martin Luther Kings or advocates from the book "The Jungle". Let the Unions be transparently monitered(sp) as well as the "Big Business". and you can see who sits on their fat "arses" and do nothing but rip the tax payers. We are all in this together and have to buy to survive. Have a good day, and God Bless America.

.

Its almost amusing really. This nation was built on the backs of slaves to the point where a war nearly destroyed the nation to keep them (and many institutions today still benefit from the old slave trade). Now we outsource because it is cheaper to places known for child labor and terrible work conditions. Slaves are not allowed here but we wouldn't care if they were elsewhere and worked for us.

Hope child (young slave)labor was not used for this statue of a great man who spoke for freedom equality and justice.

James, the Civil War was predicated on the fact that they (The Confederate States") wished to secede from the Union, to which President Lincoln took exception! Why can't ANYONE remember that? It's always said that it was about slavery, but that was a by product! Read your history! The CSA did NOT agree with A. Lincoln's idea's about progressive politics, which did YES include the issue of slavery, but there were other issues involved.

Personally I prefer Thurgood Marshall over Martin L. King. I respect Justice Marshall more than King due to his having morals not to use innocent children in harms way the way King used children to protect demonstrations. Justice Thurgood was all about peaceful demonstrations without putting innocent children in harms way. Why is it that King is idolized while Justice Marshall is ignored?

At least make some reference to the article.

waste stupid history lesson at a stupid time. This is about a civil rights activist and his historic actions and I brought up another civil rights issue and you presume that I forgot my history. I did not feel like giving a lengthy discussion on civil war. if we are interested in other parts of the history it is easily found. I know why the war was fought and stand by my statement without fear of contradiction. I do not believe I said it was the only reason did I. But I believe in your silly history fervor you simply restated that:

CONFEDERATES FOUGHT TO KEEP THE SLAVES.

(Forgive us for getting off topic)

People, please. The "drum major" statement is on the memorial because that is what KING wanted on his tombstone. And no, Matt, Maya didn't "attend those (meetings) that she was invited to." She as on the committee that decided which quote would be used. She didn't NEED an "invitation". And the stupid statue was "made in China" because that is where the sculptor's studio is. Really? There is nothing else in the news to bitch about today?

Onepoker, way way up above this post somewhere- I totally agree with you. The Statue is awesome and it is so AWESOME! that it exists and that it's there!!! I love-love-love MLK Day, every year. It's so comforting all throughout that day to stop and think about him and remember what he stood for. But of course, there are also then those horrible moments of the extreme anger-sadness with the unavoidable remembrance of his assination. I was really surprised to learn a few years ago that Arizona is the only State that doesn't recognize and celebrate MLK Day? Is that true? If so, why is that? Does anybody know? I'm so happy that the Statue is there, finally, and a little dismayed and disappointed that the dedication had to be postponed. It's almost like, symbolically, another undeserved obstruction to the path he was on and I hope it won't be postponed for too long and that maybe there could be something more, just some little extra added to the dedication to make a showing of that obstruction, the postponement, being removed in a way that says "He did overcome!" I really hope to be able to visit the Memorial someday, it really gives me reason now to go out of my way to try and make it a plan to go to DC again, someday!!! IT'S JUST PLAIN AWESOME!!! (oxymoron?) and so and too deserved to be criticized, in any way and for any reason, at all!!! RIP, MLK~YOU DID OVERCOME!!! (in Justice and in Peace) I make no judgments, as to Righteouness!

Maya has every right to express her opinion on this matter, since she lived those times and knew Dr. King personally. If she says it isn't right, it isn't. A plague is a good solution. Of course it will probably cost a few million in donations in order to get it. You know how things work now a days.

As for attending meetings who knows. She is an old lady and old ladies don't exactly get around like younger people. Perhaps she wasn't physically up to attending. Perhaps too she made her feelings known in other ways at the time.

We love to outsource, blame whoever decided to let Lei Yixin sculpt it.

I wonder who turned it over to check the "Made in China" sticker on the bottom?

Probably could have gotten the same thing at Wal Mart cheaper. Almost Everything they have is made in China.

There were bids made and this sculptor won it. He did a magnificent job. It doesn't matter where he's from. If we want to stop outsourcing work, we need to elect people with no vested interest in moving jobs outside of the US.

pjr,

yeah I feel the same way......and that darn old Statue of Liberty, just can't stand that the French gave us that.........stupid frogs
I guess they did an OK job......darn frenchies

Imagine the statue of M L K being made in China; is this "bankruptcy of our morality"; realy, are we morally bankrupt?

Cheap foriegn labor...go figure.

The Statue of Liberty was long years ago, we are talking about right now and with so many Americans out of work, it would have been nice to have taxpayer money used to help put to work some American Sculpter, but just my opinion.

It was a gift from the French. All we paid for was the base, which was money raised by school children all over the country. For 120,000,000.00 it should have been made in this country and not in China.

It's simple, China did it better than Americans would have. Just check out the cars and almost every good thing in you life today.

Well China does own at least 25% of the US. So, it doesn't matter where it's made. Soon, this country will be renamed United States of America-China.

The impact and meaning of the quote got lost in the translation.

Outsourcing! The perfect solution to the high cost of incarceration. The Chinese could house our hard core criminals at far less cost than what we incurr here in the U.S. And I'll bet that many of them would think twice before engaging in recidivist behavior. Instead of weight rooms they could get their exercise by working in the mines. And I'll bet the diet would be far healthier (not to mention cheaper). And I believe the Chinese would know how to deal effectively with discipline problems. Huge sums to be saved here.

Probably because the workers and masons who constructed it didn't want first rate pay like some of our workers here. And don't think of stuff made in America as good and such. Your best Italian suits are made either in Tawain or Korea. HOw would I know, because I'm a model.

I guess this is why MLK has that Chinese look here.

Oh I don't know...the Chinese have been carving sculptures for 8000 years. What do we know about it.

Obamas september plan is to send all unemployed people to China if they will cut what we owe them in half, and I wonder about MLK jr. I was to young to really know what was going on when he was alive, but I heard where ever he went there was civil unrest and riots, true or false.

Of all the great words this man has penned, a comparison to a drum major albeit what ever description, is an out rage . King was Courage in the face of imminent death, faith during a era of hopelessness, light in the pit of darkness . If a drum major could possibly fit these acheivements into there jobs relevance then I would say etch these words in a monument even out of context, if you really must , but that is not the case.

King was a prolific writer , so much so he was able to speak against a evil so pervasive that it was institutionalized by a nation, revered even by its subjugated victims, Civil Rights was'nt even a dream until after its reality do you really think those tortured frightened individuals could see what King envisioned? I think they were just desperate souls doing what it took to survive their reality. I never thought i would see a black president, I may have voted for him but i only beleived after he was inaugurated. King freed a people redeemed a nation and served a God that would require no less, on his monument leave his words as spoken by him ,as intended by him, and it would do not harm to future generations if those words shun light on his steadfastness his courage and his sacrifice. ......drum major really? King would have marched in the streets with the effected labor Unions that were cheated out of the oppurtunity to build his monument.

The drum major references to his leadership, what is wrong with that?

Sorry, but you people who deify King are acting foolishly. King was a good man in terms of civil rights, no doubt. But you want real courage? Real spine? Real risk? How about you go back several decades and look to some of the abolitionists, both white and black. Where are their statues honoring them and their accomplishments?

You have been taught to think that King and his time was THE TIME that matters. Fine. Wrong, but fine. Who is more eloquent in the face of racism--MLK or Frederick Douglas? Who is more daring--Harriet Tubman or MLK? How about we put things in perspective rather than delude ourselves into thinking that what is most recent is most important.

@ willie whittemore, yo, joker man, thems cars you speak of, are made in JAPAN douche bag, not China. Big F**king difference.

@wayne, really? your idiot racismis showing through your stupidity. Riots or civil unrest followed because of douche bags with attitudes like yours. You sound like a Perry/Bachman voter to me. Too bad Bush and his henchman Cheney, who helped tank this country, can't run again, as I am certain you would vote the scum right back into office.

William (Dim) Whittemore;

The only thing China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and other places in Asia has on the U.S. is cheap labor. usually in the form of 10 year old's working in barbaric conditions for hours illegal in the U.S. Unlike the U.S. they have no child labor laws, brought to you by those horrid labor unions, So most of your "good things" are the product of exploited children. Congratulations, you are a moron directly and by proxy.

Most of the things you can name were developed and produced in the U.S. first. Japan was notorious for stealing industrial and technical information and producing it at much cheaper rates, again do to a vast labor pool. Mostly children in the late fifties and sixties. China is among the world worst offenders, yet, the U.S. turns a blind eye due to their nearly treasonous relationship with a known enemy. Our government is now consorting with a state that would like nothing better than to see us in ruins.

So wear your sweat shop clothes, watch your T.V. based on stolen technology and hence, jobs, Drive your foreign car, but when you find yourself unemployed, look in the mirror their is where a lot of the blame belongs. Hope you can eat you imports or sell them to make your mortgage payment. Or maybe they'll open a plant here and pay you $10 a hour. Who knows, by your logic, we will become the next third world, cheap labor pool. Woo-Hoo, let the good times roll.

Maybe we should get China's help building a wall too along the border.

We're going to outsource anyway, might as well get experienced workers.

@ rich 281385 # 2.20...

how can you possibly FOOLISHLY question the obvious courage, real spine and risk taking by dr king?! this man consistently put his life at risk and ending up paying the ultimate price.

dr king and frederick douglas were EQUALLY eloquent in speaking against racism. king's daring was also equal to that of harriet tubman!

dr king's outstanding courage can in no way be denied. he took a bullet to prove it!!!

very elegant solution. Of course you were probably not on the board making decisions so elegance was never a factor.

you could shorten it even more

If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that i Was a drum major for justice, for peace, for righteousness.

Better, but still too long. Remove the fors and replace the and with a &. =)

If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that i was a drum major for justice, peace, & righteousness.

its an ugly statue done poorly that does not reflect the man - that they used one of his least memorable quotes is unfortunate - he deserved better

JmetheSad

As it's isn't in quotes, why couldn't they have simply stated it as he said to state it: He was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.

It embodied the spirit of his original quote:

King said, "Yes, 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."

Problem solved. Stupid architects.

#3 - Wed Aug 31, 2011 5:24 PM EDT

I had the exact same thought. If they really HAD to shorten it that way, the first word in the sentence should have been "He", not "I". Or even just make it a statement: A drum major...

Angelou is right to criticize the wording--committee should have listened before it was carved.

I am a big fan of "..." when quoting out of context or condensing speech.

I would like to see:

"...a drum major for justice...for peace...for righteousness."

It speaks for us in describing him, but also speaks as a final sermon for us.

I agree..the statute is not that pretty...Many Americans would have done a much better job, and perhaps would not have asked for a lot more money...what a concept! give the job of an american icon to an American artist...Is this a troubled country or what?

searched this entire link just to see if anyone was able to come to this conclusion... thanks

I am still trying to figure out why he was honored with a statue. Aren't there more deserving whoremongers and spousal abusers than him? He was a pig, and the statue is confrontational and arrogant. Look at his stance and his face. Nothing but arrogance. Tear it down and use the concrete to reinforce some prison walls.

I agree, 100%.

The real question is why would anyone decide to take a great person's words and NOT use them verbatim.

I think if he made the quote why change it??It's like everything else everyone is trying to change!Prayer,pledge and god leave history alone!

I have read and reread all of the posts and I don't see anything that should lead you to make this post??? Where is the racism???

Bozo, most of us here are white but that doesn't make the out of context, very incomplete statement that he made the right thing to do or keep. Sure, it will cost a fortune for us to have an American re-etch the statue, but that is only because we have unions that make the cost ridiculous. The point is that it must be corrected and you have a guilt ridden conscious that you have to even bring up the word racist. He was an American and deserves no less than Lincoln, whose words appear in totality!

They changed his qoute to suit themselves. You should be against that whether you respect and appreciate King or not.

Good idea, John-1283964, let's be pissed just to be pissed.

You should hate things just because you can.

Don't be mad that it was paid for with taxpayer dollars or that the family is getting rich off of his name.

@B.Cary..... You want to talk about "racism"?How about let's talk about black privilege instead. Why is this monument on the National Mall? Was MLK a military hero? How about a President? Since the answer to both questions is no, then why is the made in China monument to MLK there? Because had they denied the request due to MLK not being a military hero or President (as they should have) they would been accused of being racist and hating black people (who then might have burned down their own neighborhoods again).

If there is a desire for a monument to MLK, fine... but it doesn't belong on the National Mall where we honor our military heroes and Presidents. Nor should MLK's descendants have asked for, much less been paid, approx. $800,000 in licensing fees for the privilege of creating this monument.

@dmac225 -my thoughts exactly how is this possible? He was not a President or Statesman. He was an activist.

Who said I was pissed jimreaper? Pissed implies anger. I can't disagree with something without being angry?

I find the paraphrasing objectionable. I also find it objectionable that the statue wasn't sculpted here in the US. I find it ironic that it was sculpted in a country that stifles human rights which is exactly what the civil rights movement was all about.

I also find it objectionable that King's family wants to be paid for the rights to use Dr. King's image or use his speechs and film archives. No one should have to pay to know the truth as told by King. They should be proud to have his words spread across the world for anyone who wants to hear them.

I find it mildy amusing that you didn't know that over 90% of the money for this was funded through private donations, not US tax dollars. I am not pissed about that, just amused.

Well Said Dmac225!

John @ 5.8

You might find this amusing too. Looks like the taxpayers funded the statue, don't you think!

http://amerpundit.com/2011/08/23/mlk-statue-made-in-china-family-charged-foundation-800k/

forst the family had a large role in selecting the artist, where it was going to be done and the quote used - blame them - the statue is ugly, the quote not memorable - bottom line - miserable job of honoring a good American

Hey, John-1283964, I understand some of your points. I was just having a little fun.

It kind of desecrates the memory of the man and what he stood for when his family just wants to financially profit from his name.

Being a white male, isn't that my "job" to point out whether the statement makes him sound arrogant. I do not get that feeling in any way. Having grown up in a small white town South of Gary, IN in the sixties I fully understand the cause that he fought for and the dignified way he went about getting his point across. I think Ms. Angelou is over stepping her bounds and soiling his memory and I feel confident that Mr. King might feel the same way.

Another very important thing that I'd like to point out is that at least some, if not all, of the cost was absorbed by the American taxpayer.

My father fought in WWII and his brother was killed in Korea. The monuments for those wars were privately funded with the monument for WWII not being built until 60 years later for that same reason. It is up to the private citizens to decide what is worthy of memorializing not the government. And it is up to the private citizens to raise the money, not the government.

Benjamin: Saying that the statue should have been made in the US is not racist...your coments about whites is though....

Not liking the Memorial isn't racist. I am white and I followed MLK for years. He deserved better.

Jim, China donated more than the US government.

China gave 25 million and Congress gave 10 million. The private donations totalled somewhere around 105 million.

She wasn't asked to them all and her advice, which she did give, was not heard by anyone.

How does everyone know whether she attended, was invited, was not invited or what ever????

so-whodat- Because we can read, and we read the article.

Yes, I agree. The words sound just fine.

Maybe she should be pissed, instead, that statue was made in China.

Maybe she should be pissed, instead, that statue was made in China.

Seems like the general consensus here. What about the fact that the Statue of Liberty was made in France? I don't hear you guys complaining about that.

@OhMy..... Are you kidding me? The Statue of Liberty was a GIFT from France. So of course it was made in France. Unbelievable.

dmac225,

Then think of the MLK statue as a GIFT from China. Problem solved.

I believe the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France...not bought with our already abused and misused taxes. I also think Angelou's comments are divisive, self-serving and a waiste of time. I also feel King would be ashamed that much money was spent on a statue when there are so many needs among the black community or just about any community these days.

except it was paid for by people in the usa. so it isn't a gift. I think the statue is incredible, and i dont think king would have wanted to discriminate against the artist just because he is Chinese. King helped transform america for the better and america will help transform the world for the better so I am not going to lose sleep over a monument being created by a citizen of the world even if i do consider China our enemy now perhaps their people will take inspiration from this statue as well as ours.

Sola,

The money was raised through private donations. I should know. I put in 50 or 100 bucks. I forget...

Actually I don't think the statue was a waste of money at all. As MLK's legacy ages it will be harder and harder to impress upon our youth the significance of this man and the civil rights movement. A statue like this somewhat brings him back to life and symbolizes how important this man was to US history. A similar effect is created by Lincoln Memorial and Mt Rushmore.

As for being made in China - welcome to liberal America. You cannot justify making anything in this nation anymore - I am sure it would have cost 400% more made at the hands of union thugs.

and also jealous that there isn't a statue of her. She's just trying to make a fuss so people know of her existence.

well she might be afraid that they will shorten one of her poems on a statue some day.

Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

what if they just picked a few lines?

came up with one thing

And I don't believe I'm wrong

Storm clouds are gathering

the wind is going to blow

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

Onepoker, I completely agree. It may not matter to others, but to a poet and writer it does.

Wayne, I'm not sure what kind of employment you are looking for but I am also from Florida and have been gainfully employed since I was 14 years old. While there may be some places that show favoritism for relatives, friends, or even certain races or genders, not every place is the same. I would suggest not focusing so much on what you don't have and how unfair life has been to you and put that energy into finding a job. You'd be surprised by what you find. In addition, that is a completely ignorant comment you made about there constantly being unrest and riots following Dr. King. And I think you already know the answer as to why without me having to spell it out for you. I would hope so, at least.

words are important to a poet.

Dr. King wasn't a poet. And he's dead, so I don't think he cares. And the statue isn't of Ms. Angelou, is it, so I don't think it's her business, unless she paid for it. And I don't think she did.

Has nothing to do with "this administration." Can you not read? This thing has been in the works for 14 years. Geez.

I would have to agree, they should of put the whole quote on there, won't fit, don't put it then. I still can't believe they get the scupltor and granite from China, whaaaaat?

Unions and their monstrous wages are the only reason it was done in China.

sculptors aren't unionized.

Matt263, you are a @!$%#ing idiot! Etmric, you too! Shut the @!$%# up already!

They don't have to, they just CHOOSE to for whatever idiotic reason!!! Can't have those peasants making any money, we gotta keep'em dependent upon the government!!!!

Go write a poem about your anger Angelou! No one cares about your personal problems with the statue or its inscription. Do you think all of the people on the war memorials are complaining about only having their names inscribed. They are dead too. They probably are laughing at your pettiness on the other side and thanking their lucky stars they don't live on this ridiculous planet anymore. Like our good friend Garth Algar said, "live in the now"

I just spit out my coffee all over my desk and I'm still cracking up! This is the funniest thing I have heard all day!!!!!!!!!!

That's funny, the funniest thing I heard all day was that you second degree burns from coffee on your co(k.

That was pretty funny :) Made me lol!

Leopold, you owe me a new monitor. Coke is runing down the screen as I write this.

?

Thanks Leopold. This whole discussion was starting to piss me off. You made me laugh.

makes sense, if that is possible if not oh well. People need to read books not a couple of words on a statue

First of all, if it had been a Union Job ...it would have been done correctly in the first place. And if there were errors..then they could fix it. But, I doubt that with the Chinese grasp of English..that there is any idea that the quote is "wong". Or to go back them to grasp the concept & fix it.

Jim,

It wasn't a quote. Though I doubt with your grasp of the article there is any idea that they made the statue correctly. By the way, English is a required course in China's public schools. About 1 in 5 people in China can speak English quite well aside from their accent. Of course, it's much easier to make fun of them than it is to check your facts.

Don't you know that people don't find literacy very easy to learn? If they can't get it in the fast lane (like fast food) then it isn't worth their time. Or more importantly, those who do read, don't really READ what's there, they may memorize these things on statues, but will never bother to go look up the origins of the "quote". It doesn't matter to them. In this way, history becomes more streamlined with all of the really important parts of it being ignored. I am so disappointed in the education crisis along with the morality of the children in our country, or the lack thereof. I have to admit though, Leopold did make me laugh, and I'll end my night with that laugh.

Actually I thought I read that the person that carved all the wording was a different person. And American.

I was thinking the exact same thing take "I" and "was" out and it's perfect...that should be easy to correct

It's a really nice monument. I wonder if they couldn't have made if from obsidian glass from a volcano. IMO that would have been gorgeous. It's not like he wasn't black after all.

I think the statue looks like a cross between Juan Williams and Chairman Mao.

Maybe it had to be shortened because there are 14 other quotes at the memorial. Perhaps since it is not correct they need to take it down, chisel off the quote and leave it blank. Maybe it will make Maya happy, even though she had the opportunity to participate in the planning. It is always easier to criticize the work of others....

Thank you, thank you, another individual with a full brain that gets it. This is a historical piece for all time, not just for now, when the people who remember the quote are still alive, but in 100 years. I'd say he deserves the same respect as Lincoln, Washington, etc. even if he was not our President.

I see her point but maybe she is making too much out of it. The family of MLK is perfectly happy with it. I think $120 million is a lot of respect.

Ouch! But you do have a point... if the real truth be told and engraved in stone, I wonder what Ms. Angelou would think about that? Perhaps she would then insist that we should consider the good things and not the bad... well maybe Ms. Angeloe should consider this monument is the IDEA that gives further life to the MYTH of this "Sainted" Martyr representing a "Good and positive" aspect of our nation instead of making it an "Idol" to be worshipped?

I'm absolutely sure Rev. Dr. King would agree. Peace ... Ms. Angelou... peace

Right..., that's why there is a memorial to Dr. King, and not either of YOU. No one will EVER know who you are, but we will remember Dr. King for an eternity.

Spacey W
are you so sure about that? You should not be so sure. Dr. King is NOT a god. He was a man with flaws. His spirit lives on and that Spirit is not exclusive to Dr. King... His "perfection" is a myth. Not his character, which that greatness of character is potentially in all of us and could surpass his... this is true whether you want to believe it or not .... matters not. Eternity is a long time... sorry but that's not in the cards for anyone's 'personality"

Dr. who?

Hey adios....While we're at it, why don't they go over across the water to the Jefferson Memorial and inscribe what a racist-slave-raping-outside-child-having-son-of-a-bitch he was!

Seems many of our 'Great Men' had a few flaws.

Momus...I love your "well, your guy was a jerk to" aditude....real mature.

Eric....it's about as mature as your statements on here. As you said below, YOU just have a problem with facts! Don't dish it out if you can't take it son.

Momus - You do realize that Jefferson was the founder of the Democratic party and that in the Federalist papers, had some real problems with slavery in this country?

Hey Momus - Jefferson and Madison were the founders of the Democratic party. He also had large problems with slavery in a new republic. Read the Federalist papers before you make generalized comments about the founders of this country. If you do not know history, you are bound to repeat it.

@John and Eric, just because Jefferson was a founder of the Democratic party doesn't mean anything. He had children with slaves outside of his marriage. You all are fools, and ignorant. Regardless of his King's flaws, he was a martyr. Maybe not to some of you foolish people, but he was murdered for his beliefs of equality for all people. What he stood up for helped shape our nation, and take us out of the "American 20th Century Dark ages", which were over consumed with savages dressed up like normal people in the day time, and Casper the Friendly ghost with white sheets at night. He wasn't marching and being beat, hosed and hand cuffed for his own personal benefit. If he was, there would have been a compromise. But there wasn't. He was murdered!

I wish that all of you that are writing how good men are not perfect would remember that when writing about our current leaders, and not wait 100 years to give them some credit...Yes! all of them were just human, just as our current president is...and he is really an honest man.

Jefferson likely had a relationship with his wife's HALF SISTER, who was Sally Hemmings. Mrs. Jefferson was sickly, and died relatively young - but she must have gotten along with her slave half sister, or would not have brought Sally to the Jefferson plantation when she married Jefferson. Sally Hemmings and Jefferson were prisoners of their time when it came to the law of the day, which would have prevented their marriage - she ran his household, he never remarried - really a sad story. Go see Monticello for yourself, watch the historical film - beautiful. Jefferson set up schooling for the children of slaves on the plantation, including vocational trades for the young men. (Some were allowed to work on their own time, and could buy their freedom, maybe he tried to help them to be able to do that one day.)
A couple of Ms. Hemmings' sons Jefferson did not "free", as they were so white that to draw up manumission papers would have branded them negatively. The 2 younger sons, obviously (it is said) of part African ethnicity - and did have their freedom papers drawn up.
Remember too, that ALL women were property at the time, but a rich white Plantation Class woman had family/economic strength - she still could not vote, and was at the mercy of her arranged (usually) marriage - but her husband would think twice about abusing her, as his social peers would ostracize him.

and who or what cause exactly are you willing to dedicate time, passion and risk LIFE towards other than the person those other 4 fingers are pointing back at. that's the good ole American way of looking at someones life work and judging the person and not the work itself. get a clue. change and inspiration requires a leader with will, character and know how. change the nation/world and then lets see how many bones someone can find in your closet.

Maya is a great and wise lady who judges people and actions honestly. She is not a racist who thinks anything black is good and anything white is bad.

MLK day IS MORE then enough!

enough for what??? or shall I say for whom???

Good enough for a womanizer and a plagiarist....that's who!!!

Eric I bet you've never opened a history book in your life, probably repeating something you heard your redneck pwt momma and daddy say

I know plenty of history....you just have a problem with the facts. You will follow lock step with MLK dispite the truth....Just like you will vote for BO again no matter how much damage he does to this country. I truly feel sorry for black folks....wasted the first and likely only black president on a clown.....I would have expected you to demand better.

you better check your facts, we weren't the only ones voting him in dumbazz!!!! Actually we're a MINORITY, we couldn't have got him in w/o your help DUMBO!!!!

And sorry, but I'll waste it on a black man any day when I have to choose from the likes of Bush, Clinton, Reagan, McCain, Palin, Bachmann. My only consideration might be Paul, but he's got some twisted sh!t with him too, so he won't get my vote either, so I guess that leaves me sitting at home twiddling my thumbs come the next election!!!! But guess what??? THAT'S MY CHOICE and there's not a damn thing you can do about it!!!! Doesn't that just EAT U UP???? A black woman speaking to a white man like that. Thank God it's not the 50's, you'd have me strung up by now wouldn't ya???? LOL

Maybe I shouldn't have said that, especially if you're in the position to hire people, because after this, every black woman that comes in to interview with you, you'll be wondering if she's the one that talked sh!t to you on newsvine, and won't hire her for that reason alone......MY BAD!!!!!

Renee love, it seems the racist comments are coming from you here. Is this part of the new class war Obama has pushed with his "tax the rich" or is it just the reverse racism we have seen for sometime among some of your race?

Usually not from successful ones.

I hate to say this but a lot of black people keep themselves down by thinking that everyone else cares that they are black.

You don't "hate to say it". You love to say it.......

on as many message boards as you can ("class war....Obama...." Come on!)

Like all men he had his flaws. But here he is being acknowledged for his brave work of standing up to those who thought of him as less than human (~3/5 slavery may have been over but our acceptance of work from child (slave) labor shows that some in this country might actually want it back) PEACEFULLY and all some people can do is bring up his flaws.

the hateful demeaning comments of 20 thru 20.2 are written examples of how pointing out racism is far from useless playing of the race card.

this post is peppered with such vitriol. they should be left open to prove just how well racism is thriving in america.