Martin Luther King Jr. by Mural
Photographer Camilo José Vergara captures varying portrayals of the civil rights leader in urban areas across the United States
- By Jess Righthand
- Smithsonian.com, January 12, 2011
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(Camilo José Vergara)
Los Angeles (photographed 1998)
Here, Martin Luther King wears his robes, preaching to an unseen audience. Behind him are the Egyptian Pyramids of Giza.
The mural stands about six feet high and flanks a back alley in Los Angeles. According to Vergara, a minister in the church across the street witnessed the painting of the mural and claimed the unknown male artist disappeared immediately after the painting was completed.
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Comments (3)
"King is pictured here between jazz pianist and bandleader Duke Ellington and a local politician."
Incorrect. King is on the right.
Posted by Stephanie on January 16,2012 | 01:22 AM
A beautiful selection of murals honoring Martin Luther King. Here is another one:
http://www.vimeo.com/18855173
Posted by Lisa on January 16,2011 | 09:17 PM
On the upcoming occasion of the Martin Luther King Day of Service, one thing that can be done to honor Dr. King's legacy is ensuring that the Pentagon spend an adequate amount of money to recover the remains of our World War II missing in action, many of whom were African-Americans, such as the following MIA Tuskegee Airmen (courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch): Lt. Albert L. Young, F/O Carl J. Woods, Lt. William F. Williams Jr., Lt.Sherman H. White Jr., Lt. James R. Polkinghorne, F/O Leland H. Pennington, Lt. Andrew D. Marshall, Captain Andrew Maples Jr., Lt. Oscar D. Hutton Jr., Lt. Wellington G. Irving, Lt. Fred L. Brewer Jr., Lt. John H. Chavis, Capt. Alfonzo W. Davis, Capt. Lawrence E. Dickson, Lt. Maurice V. Esters, Lt. Samuel J. Foreman, Lt. Frederick D. Funderburg Jr., Lt. Samuel Jefferson, Lt. Charles B. Johnson, and Lt. Samuel G. Leftenant. The Defense Department has historically treated its MIA remains recovery program like a neglected stepchild, requesting a level of funding that is nowhere near the amount needed to recover the remains of the tens of thousands still missing. Please support substantially increased funding for location and recovery of the remains of our heroic missing Tuskegee Airmen, and all the other missing soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Their families deserve nothing less.
Gary Zaetz
Project Homecoming
Posted by Gary Zaetz on January 16,2011 | 10:10 AM