Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Always observed the third Monday in January, MLK Day is a federal holiday. Government offices are closed, as are public schools. The above photo features the bust originally cast by Wilber Lee Mapp in 1994 and originally installed at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street (see it here). This iteration of the bust is installed in Ole Asheboro at the corner of Bragg Street and Martin Luther King Drive. Mr. Mapp's sculpture was recast in bronze and installed here in 2019. The ribbon cutting ceremony was on January 21st. Here is the link from when we attended the ceremony two years ago. During yesterday's visit, we noticed that the greenway is now completed just to the right of this monument. There are two other pieces of artwork at this greenway juncture and the view is really pretty. We'll feature more from this area soon.
Usually, Ole Asheboro and Southside would be teeming with people today with a parade and other celebrations. Today it will be COVID quiet. Perhaps people will walk or bike by and take time to reflect on the the teachings of Dr. King. As stated on the plaque in front of the bust, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., planned to speak at Trinity AME Zion Church in Greensboro (a few blocks from here) on April 4, 1968. He canceled his visit to Greensboro to remain in Memphis where he was assassinated on that day." If you are here in east Greensboro, just over the hill, you will find Bennett College, where Dr. King spoke at Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on February 11, 1958. Dr. King also stayed at the Broad Street home of civil rights attorney, Kenneth Lee.*
*reference and more information.
He was a great man.
Posted by: William Kendall | Monday, January 18, 2021 at 05:46 AM