China and Martin Luther King

Today many people will gather at the 30-ft Martin Luther King statue in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the life of a man who gave so much to our country and our world. It is interesting to note that even the creation of the statue celebrates what it means to be one people, one world.

In 1996, the United States Congress approved the idea of a statue, appointed a planning commission, and held a competition,  eventually choosing ROMA Design Group's idea. Their design included the use of specific rock that few people could handle, and thus they needed a special sculptor. The years had gone by, and it was now 2006.  

Coincidentally that year Public Art Saint Paul held a Stone-Carving Symposium, called "Minnesota Rocks!" with participants from all over the world. The commission in Washington got wind of this, and three members flew over to find out more, interviewing numerous sculptors. The name that kept being put forth as the master was Lei Yixin from Changsha, China. 

The officials approached the napping Lei on the St. Paul College lawn only to discover that he wasn't fluent in English. Fortunately, a member of US-China People's Friendship Association (Lu Weiming) was nearby and jumped in to help translate. Through Lu the Commission asked Lei to please come to Washington to learn more about the project. That was difficult, as he only had a visa long enough for the "Minnesota Rocks!" event. However he applied to stay in the country longer. When he was refused, he kept trying. It took some finagling, as well as the help of Representative Betty McCollum, to help him get a visa extension.

Lei went to work researching the life of Dr. King, and was inspired to produce a concept. He said that more than 2,000 concepts were considered from more than 52 countries.

The statue which is located at 1964 Independence Avenue SW, referencing the year the Civil Rights Act became law, was scheduled for its unveiling on August 28, 2011--the 40th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. However, Hurricane Irene blew this plan aside. The official dedication was postponed until October 16, 2011. 

Lei said he was moved by Dr. King's eyes, as in his eyes he could see a warrior--but a warrior for peace. And, though Dr. King's struggle had been for Civil Rights in America in the '60's, his message still resonates to people all over the world.