King Monument Short On Funds

Midway between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, a bronze plaque - placed more than four years ago - marks the spot where a larger-than-life image of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. may one day rise. Since then, supporters have been trying to raise the $100 million necessary to begin construction on a grand national memorial to the slain civil rights leader. So far, they have raised $33 million. Organizers want to break ground this year, with completion in 2006, but fund raising has lagged. In 2003, Congress granted organizers a three-year extension to secure the money and keep the dream of a King memorial on the National Mall alive. The foundation plans to launch print advertisements and television public-service announcements starring actors Morgan Freeman and Samaire Armstrong urging people to contribute. Just as with other recent memorials, the King memorial must be paid for with private money.

This is downright ridiculous. Black Americans have a combined GDP of $728 billion per year, so we can easily raise $66 million this year. Where are black entertainers and businessfolks? Us common folks? Why aren't black media plugging it like Nelly's last cut? However, we believe it's because many common folks don't know about the project. Go to Build the Dream to donate and spread the word by blogs and email so we can put this brotha on the National Mall! If this project doesn't happen, we can only blame ourselves.