Part 1: Narrative/Descriptive Essay – Final Draft

The Martin Luther King Memorial

The Martin Luther King memorial is a tribute to a man whose legacy is centred on non-violence (MacMillan, 2008). It acknowledges martin Luther’s contribution to a world where each person enjoys the same opportunities and freedoms. The project to build the monument was initiated by a joint resolution from congress, which was followed by years of planning, finance contributions, and construction after which it all culminated in a public viewing on August 22, 2011. This memorial was a major landmark in that it commemorated only the fourth occasion for a non-president to be honoured in such a manner. The Monument also marked the first time that an African American was accredited with a memorial in the surroundings of the National Mall. The Luther King Memorial is under the administration of the National Park Service and reports point out that the unit is the 395th of its kind under the body’s supervision.

The Luther king Memorial is situated South West to the National Mall in the West Potomac Park, which is in the American state of Washington. Linking it to the rest of Washington is an avenue called the 1964 independence avenue and it was constructed in remembrance of the year in which the Civil Rights Act was enacted into law (MacMillan, 2008). At the North Western part of Tidal Basin is where the Independence avenue and the West Basin Drive Intersect. The independence avenue also has some entrances, which lead to the memorial. Nonetheless, one can also access the grounds through the Ohio drive and the Daniel French Drive. At the entryway to the memorial are bookshop and gift shops, which have some audio-visual displays. Despite being located in a densely populated area, parking slots happen to be minimal; therefore, public transportation is the best mode of transport to and from the grounds. In case you fancy railway transportation there are a selection of metro stations about a mile’s walk away one of them being the Foggy Bottom.

The memorial covers approximately four acres of land and the centrepiece of it all is a Dr King’s monument. It has been strategically positioned within the vicinity of other prestigious American leaders’ memorials among them including Abraham Lincoln’s and George Jefferson’s. A lot of attention and detail was directed towards the setting up of King’s Memorial. For example, the memorial emphasises on the core values of Martin Luther, which centred on hope democracy and justice. The “Stone of Hope” is the highlight of Dr King’s memorial. It is a huge statue, 30 feet in height that stares into the skyline, possibly to a future in which there is hope for humanity. The statue was assembled from 159 granite blocks. These were later sculptured and curved so as to surface as one singular piece (Miller, 2009). Nearby is a 450-foot wall that is engraved with some of Luther’s messages and aspirations for America. The landscape surrounding the monument is characterised by the Elm and Yoshino Cherry trees.

Conclusion

A 30 feet tall statue that is made from well-sculptured blocks of granite defines the Luther King Memorial. It was opened to the public on August 22, 2011 after years of planning and construction. Within its vicinity are other famous American leaders’ monuments among them including Lincoln’s and Jefferson’s? Dr King’s memorial is a fitting tribute to a man who passionately fought for equity and justice.

References

MacMillan, D. M. (2008). Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers.

Miller, R. (2009). Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree Pub. Co.