Debates over MLK Memorial

Traditional historians are not the only ones who wrestle with interpretive decisions. Those in public history have the distinct challenge of making the past accessible to the public – a task that is often more subjective than is commonly realized. This issue has come up recently in a debate over a quote chiseled into a new memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The monument currently includes an abbreviated quote from King (“I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness”) that some believe changes the original meaning of what he said. (The original, longer quote was too cumbersome.) At first this may seem like a trite debate or just plain politicking, but if we consider the fact that public monuments like this have the power to shape our collective memory, we realize more might be at stake than meets the eye, and these are healthy debates that help us get it right. Check out the story on NPR here.