Angelou Bashes MLK Memorial

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Maya Angelou has a bone to pick with the designers of the new MLK memorial in Washington, D.C. The paraphrased quotes on the statue makes Dr. King look like “an arrogant twit,” she says. The shortened version of his famous “drum major” quote from a 1968 speech reads: “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” The original quote was slightly weightier and implores his audience, “If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice…” Angelou thinks the paraphrased version “makes him seem like an egotist,” and that leaving out the “if” clause completely alters the context.

Read it at Slate

August 31, 2011