THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 19, 1995 TAG: 9501190012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Regarding Marc Tibbs' article on the King Monument (MetroNews, Jan. 12): I realize that the action of citizens uniting and working together toward a goal, the principle of paying homage to the contributions of African Americans to these United States of America, the concept of dedication and commitment to a goal and the belief that the principles of courage, strength, justice and equal opportunity deserve constant reflection may not be as titillating and scintillating as the gossip surrounding the Martin Lawrence wedding or Rio Hair. Nevertheless, to many of us the aforementioned ideals do indeed have significance.
A 150-foot spire is not about steel and granite. It's not merely a hollow idol to Dr. King. The spire is about you and me. It's about unity. It's about collective work. It's about following through on a commitment. It's about the symbolism that ``We're important too.'' It's about acknowledging the past and hopes for the future. It's about we can, we will and we shall.
Yes the work has been hard. Yes the work has been long. Yes there are some who question the work. But, fortunately, Martin Luther King Jr. showed us by example that doing what you believe may not always be popular and that the many who criticize your work while in progress later respect and appreciate you for having accomplished it.
Dr. Howard Thurman, the esteemed African-American theologian, in his book Jesus and the Disinherited (which Dr. King carried with him for inspiration), noted the unfortunate sense of hopelessness and despair which are placed upon the children of the disinherited by their elders. Those of us who believe in and support a vision as represented by the King Monument categorically reject that attitude which saps the enthusiasm of our children today. No, for us .
RODNEY ALAN JORDAN
Norfolk, Jan. 12, 1994 by CNB