Commemorative Moments

In the hallway of my grandmother's apartment, there is a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr that I have been obsessed with since I can remember. Partially because of his expression. He is staring past the right side of the canvas, looking very serious and reflective and a whole host of emotions I couldn't identify as a 7 year old. The other reason was that it was painted in rich browns and purples on a sheet of black velvet. I was enthralled. In my look-and-don't-touch world, the idea of paint applied in long smooth curves and small spiky details across velvet presented the most exhilarating texture I could have ever imagined.

But even back then, I knew the picture held too much importance to just put my sticky fingers all over it. The image of Martin Luther King Jr. was not something to play with. For many, he was the face of the Civil Rights Movement. The image of non-violent protest in the United States. A symbol of racial advancement and equality. Of potential. Of the impossible overcome by will and passion.

And of the extreme sacrifice that accompanies that mission.

The power wrapped up in this icon continues to enthrall me to today because of the very process one must undergo to become an icon. It is easy to think that had blogging and Wikipedia and paparazzi existed then, we would have remembered a more complex man. Perhaps we would have had a clearer image of the pre-India MLK that was not so staunchly committed to non-violence. Or the obscurer parts of his speeches where he decries the aggression and arrogant expansion of the US into the Third World. Or his refusal to distance himself from other Civil Rights workers who were openly gay.

10 Other Things MLK Said, from IllDoctrine

But it is clear from looking to our present-day icons, both the "heroes" and the "villains," that to be remembered, much will be forgotten and actively left out. On the other hand, it is important to consider whether our icons hold so much meaning because of how accurately their image can recount an event, or how well they can symbolize the feeling in an experience.

So in the last few minutes of Obama-Eve, it is exciting to imagine what kind of icon we will require Obama to be for us, what image of these days we will piece together later, and how tightly we will tie them to past traditions.

It has been 45 years since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. 23 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed as a federal holiday. And 2 and a half months ago, was certainly a time to celebrate...

a video on euphoria

and shout out to all the IINOI writers in D.C. right now!!