The newly-unveiled MLK monument ‘The Embrace’ celebrates the love of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
So, what is ‘The Embrace?’ Embrace Boston lays it all out:
The Embrace symbolizes the hug Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared with his wife, Coretta, after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and celebrates their time in Boston when they met as students. The Embrace will be an important cultural symbol of equity and justice for Boston residents and all those who visit the city and region. It will serve as a permanent monument representing the Kings’ time and powerful presence in Boston, a time that helped shape their approach to an equitable society.
On Friday, January 13, Bostonians gathered on Newbury Street for a procession to Boston Common, where the monument was installed. Last weekend, CBS Sunday Morning covered the story behind the monument and its creator, Hank Willis Thomas:
One photo in particular got the sculptor’s attention: the reaction when Rev. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. “I just love that image, him hugging her with such glee and such joy and such pride, and I saw the pride on her face. And I recognized that this was teamwork. And all of his weight in that picture is, like, on her.”
MLK Monument ‘The Embrace’ Unveiled on Boston Common
Instead of creating a monument featuring Dr. King and Coretta Scott King’s whole selves, Thomas and the architects from the MASS Design Group opted instead to depict only the arms and hands of the pair. It’s a striking and, at first, confusing piece of art to behold. But visitors will be able to actually stand inside the sculpture and be inside the embrace. That’s where it will all come together, creating a uniquely singular experience. See some photos and video below.