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Bust of MLK Joins President Obama in Oval Office
March 18, 2009 9:53 PM
Well, here's another way President Obama has put his historic stamp on the presidency. With no fanfare or media attention, President Obama last month added a new decoration to the Oval Office: a 12 5/8" bronze bust of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
The work, titled "Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)," is by celebrated African-American sculptor Charles Alston -- the first African-American instructor at the Art Students League -- who died in 1977.
Created in 1970, it was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery in 1974.
When the Smithsonian lent the bust to the President Bill Clinton's White House in 2000 to be displayed in the White House Library, that marked, believe it or not, the very first time that the image of an African-American was displayed in a public space in the White House.
Pretty astounding, when you think about it, given the bust's current place of honor.
The King bust sits near the fireplace and adjacent a bust of President Abraham Lincoln, with the two legendary Americans facing President Obama when he sits at the HMS Resolute Desk. The Lincoln bust sits where a bust of Sir Winston Churchill -- on loan from the British Embassy after the 9/11 attacks, and returned before Mr. Obama's inauguration -- once sat.
-- jpt
March 18, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (31)
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The aide that made the original mistake about the gift exchange should read 'HMS Resolute' by Elizabeth Matthews and help the President to make ammends when he meets the Queen in April by giving a US Navy document regarding RESOLUTE and her return to Britain. The gift of the ship in 1856 was a very Obama-like gesture of 'unclenching the fist to shake the hand' and the $44,000 invested then by Congress has paid a fantastic peace dividend ever since- a lesson to all politicians.
Posted by: Wiliam Cavendish | Mar 20, 2009 3:15:47 PM
"Napoleon WAS Italian, genius."
The Island of Corsica was French territory well before Napoleon was born there.
Genius...
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 20, 2009 12:01:03 PM
OK Groovymarlin, ever curious as to the ultimate reason the country is in the shape it’s in? Just browse some of these posts.
Re. the story... It's neat to see some of the little things, human interest things, that go on in this administration, which by the way, will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest in our nation's history. Congress will be overturning the Twenty-second Amendment before "that one" is out of office LOL.
Posted by: kambul | Mar 20, 2009 9:24:00 AM
Napoleon WAS Italian, genius.
Posted by: Odumbo | Mar 19, 2009 11:36:13 PM
American Idol?
Posted by: from Ohio | Mar 19, 2009 9:49:48 PM
If Hillary was President she wouldn't be worring about a bust, she'd be getting this country back on track. Obama is "present", just "present".
Posted by: from Ohio | Mar 19, 2009 9:46:37 PM
"Not true ryan C, MLK was a Republican look it up."
MLK Sr was a Republican who even endorsed Nixon until the Kennedys got his son out of jail.
MLK Jr, who is the MLK that we are most familiar with, was not a Republican.
Frances Rice just made it up as part of a GOP effort to reach out to African Americans by demonizing Democrats which fell resoundingly flat.
The truth?
The King Center in Atlanta says there is no proof that King was ever a Republican.
In "The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.," which was published after his death from his written material and records, King called the Republican national convention that nominated Goldwater a "frenzied wedding ... of the KKK and the radical right."
"The Republican Party geared its appeal and program to racism, reaction, and extremism," King said in the book.
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 19, 2009 8:07:08 PM
Not true ryan C, MLK was a Republican look it up..
Posted by: Parallax View | Mar 19, 2009 7:56:07 PM
"That bust looks a lot like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Roberts!"
Who is Clarence Roberts?
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 19, 2009 3:02:38 PM
That bust looks a lot like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Roberts!
Posted by: sadsack | Mar 19, 2009 2:56:40 PM
I think a bust of Lennin would have been more appropriate.
Posted by: Butch.F | Mar 19, 2009 2:31:45 PM
"Comforting to know he at least has a REGISTERED REPUBLICAN, MLK,"
MLK's father was the Republican, even initially endorsed Nixon in 1960.
MLK Jr wanted to be non partisan though he felt the Kennedys were the better bet for ending segregation though he had misgivings about them as well.
Posted by: Ryan C the original | Mar 19, 2009 1:50:58 PM
Sad.
Some of the reactions here tell me more than I wanted to know.
Posted by: Danny | Mar 19, 2009 1:44:40 PM
Comforting to know he at least has a REGISTERED REPUBLICAN, MLK, watching over liberal decisions even if it is in spirit only; perhaps it will serve as a gentle reminder that the greats of greats were also Republicans.
Posted by: Parallax View | Mar 19, 2009 1:23:20 PM
"So, if a German-American wins the Presidency will we see a bust of Hitler? Or how about a bust of Napoleon if an Italian-American wins?"
So what's sadder about this right wingers; the comparison of Hitler to MLK or thinking Napoleon was Italian?
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 19, 2009 12:39:20 PM
So, if a German-American wins the Presidency will we see a bust of Hitler? Or how about a bust of Napoleon if an Italian-American wins? So obsurd!
Posted by: Mona | Mar 19, 2009 12:27:29 PM
"IT is change we can all believe in"
Not me.
Outraged in Vancouver, Washington
Posted by: Marie | Mar 19, 2009 11:44:51 AM
To many of us Americans, this is a good thing. It is my hope that our Presidents looks to these two bust everyday for inspiration. Just from what I've read here, he's going to need a bunch.
Posted by: fed up in nyc | Mar 19, 2009 11:43:04 AM
"The (I won't say my) president is wasting his time going on Leno???? My God what is this country coming to?"
God forbid he find ways to speak to the people of this country, many of whom don't watch the news. He thinks outside the box. That's a good thing.
Posted by: silky | Mar 19, 2009 10:37:34 AM
Obama should install a Sarah Palin calender in the White House now, He can get one free from NEWS MAX, he just have to pay for the shipping.
Posted by: Karl | Mar 19, 2009 9:52:47 AM
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