Thoughts on the new MLK Jr. Monument, “The Embrace”

Art is supposed evoke emotion, even if, for some, that emotion is negative. The controversy surrounding Hank Willis Thomas’ sculpture of MLK Jr. and his wife suggests it’d be more in line to have the statue similar in look and feel to all the white monuments we can find throughout Boston, a purely representational structure of a man, standing. 

But MLK Jr. wasn’t like those men that came before him. 

I understand the concern about a disembodied figure, not representing his facial expression, but I'd argue a hug evokes more emotion than a subtle expression could. Having a sculpture emphasizing arms, and specifically arms hugging, is symbolic of the true reach MLK had and still has.

It’s a reminder of the importance of embracing one another, leaning on one another, accepting one another. 

And for this I find it to say way more than it would if we could see how wide his hips were in comparison to his shoulders.