I originally posted the PORTLAND PLACES: Oregon Convention Center page on my old website on October 10, 2008.
…Continued from Bell Circles.
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
"The Dream" by Michael Florin Dente was dedicated on August 28, 1998 "to the sacrifices of Dr. King and the countless people who believe in "The Dream" and the on going march for peace and justice" "In Loving Memory of Bill and Gladys McCoy." The project originated by Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, was advanced by the late State Senator Bill McCoy, and was supported by donations from citizens and businesses.
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
The plaque on the statue base includes the following excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King's, Jr. speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963 during the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom:
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
"I say to you today, my friends, that even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream that one day....little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today..."
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
The plaque also describes the symbolism of the components of the statue as follows:
""The Dream" represents Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stepping forward to deliver his message to the world."
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
"Behind and to the right of Dr. King is a young man of the working class rolling up his sleeves. He has just come to the realization and made the decision to step forward to announce his support for the universal message of equality, freedom, and justice."
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
"The little girl is depicted at the instant of releasing Dr. King's coat tail. This represents a "letting go" process where one or more members of a family are called away to contribute their energy and time to a concept and struggle of greatest importance to all people of the world."
“The Dream” at the Oregon Convention Center, August 31, 2008
"The young woman behind the little girl represents the immigrant of our society, warily advancing on the waves of hope and freedom to a land of great promise."
Chief Joseph Bas Relief on August 31, 2008
"The two bas reliefs on each side of this base depict Chief Joseph and his struggle to find peace and freedom for his people and Mahatma Gandhi on the salt march leading his people to independence. Both men pursued the same "Dream" as Martin Luther King, Jr.: peace, freedom, and equality for all mankind."
Mahatma Gandhi Bas Relief on August 31, 2008
Continue to Expansion & Rain Garden…
This is a magnificent monument. Who were some of the team members who actually put each aspect of the monument together? And possibly, who were the team members who helped move the monument from its original location to its present location?
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