MLK Memorial Library

Page curated by Alice Baughman and Meghan Smith

An artist at the Peace Walk painting a portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The MLK Memorial Library

Photos by Alice Baughman, taken in Anacostia, D.C., then central downtown D.C. on January 17, 2022.

From the rooftop terrace of the MLK Memorial Library

After several of us participated in the MLK Day Peace Walk, we all visited the MLK Memorial Library in the afternoon. Read on for some of our reflections, photos, and reactions to this newly renovated library that was decades in the making!

This is the main branch of the D.C. Public Library. It was originally built in 1972 (designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe), but just reopened in 2021 after years of reconsideration and new designs.

Walking into the Library

Upon entrance to the MLK Memorial Library, you are immediately met with a mural on the opposing wall. The mural was created by artist Don Miller. Scenes from throughout the Civil Rights Movement are depicted in the mural, emphasizing the library's commitment to the Civil Rights Movement's legacy as a whole in edition to the individual legacy of MLK.

Below the mural are steps where visitors can take a seat. Meanwhile, MLK's famous words echo through speakers. I found myself sitting on these stairs at the end of my journey, the atmosphere making me feel reflective as I listened to Dr. King's voice and processed my visit. (Meghan Smith)

The poster is a "Free D.C." Poster from 1966, a movement calling for the right for D.C. residents to vote (an issue which we demonstrated for this morning in 2022, too).

"D.C. Statehood is Racial Justice"

MLK Peace Walk and MLK Memorial Library

One of the main things I reflected on today, starting with the Peace Walk through Anacostia and then by exploring the MLK Jr. Memorial Library, is the tie between the issue of D.C. statehood and racist systems in this nation like voter suppression. Previously, I was aware of D.C. residents' call for statehood, but due to my privilege as a white person and as a non-D.C. resident, I was able to remain ignorant about the deeper meanings of this movement. This morning, hearing the organizers at the Peace Walk speak of Dr. King and of John Lewis, and their work to end voter suppression (which has largely affected black people throughout our nation's history), I began to understand more clearly how the lack of federal representation and voting access for D.C. residents silences the voices of a large population, nearly half of which is black. This afternoon at the MLK Memorial Library, I realized just how long these issues have been protested and how much work has been attempted in the way of progress for voting rights and fighting back against the suppression of black voices and black representation in government. (I was also reminded once again of how my racial and geographic privilege meant that I hadn't learned about these problems by necessity growing up, and how inequitable that is.) Seeing posters and hearing from organizers from various points over half a century that share common themes and demands for change was sobering, and reminded me how crucial it is to actively work towards progress, reminding our government that they are supposed to represent and support the interests of the people. (Alice Baughman)

Photos taken at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 By Kai Okai-Brown on Jan 17, 2022

A Frustrating Library Brimming with Hope

Nothing is a greater honor than having a library dedicated to you, and this honor is well deserved by Martin Luther King Jr. I was elated to see such a thing existed and ecstatic to visit on what would've been Martin Luther King's 93th birthday. The Building was extremely simplistic despite all the complex problems King devoted his life to fixing.

Guests are initially greeted with a clock that to the naked eye is devoid of consequence. The second I laid my eyes on it my mind immediately expelled a ticking sound.

My mind was ticking as if it was portraying the sorrows of the buildings namesake detailing the outrageous amount of time it took to arrive at today and how much still needs to be done. It carries a slight heir of frustration as it is devoid of color and passion. This temple of knowledge was dedicated to Martin Luther King, yet it was constructed in a affluent Caucasian area. It was built for those King dedicated his life to helping, and is almost out of reach for the precious population. In response the clock simply counts the amount of time waiting for true change.

Photos taken at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 By Kai Okai-Brown on Jan, 17 2022

Thankfully this mood pivots as the library as a whole transforms itself into a museum. This Museum not only champions the initiatives of Martin Luther but it takes time to acknowledge and honor his brave allies. It's a successful attempt to make the Civil Rights Movement more real, which is a delight to see. (Kai Okai-Brown)

Photos taken at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 By Kai Okai-Brown on Jan 17, 2022

D.C. Music - Hand Dancing and swing

Inside the MLK Memorial Library, on the 4th floor, there was a section devoted to the role of music in developing the culture of the city. There were a set of Hand Dancing CDs (pictured right) on one of the walls. I was drawn to this exhibit because I had never heard the term "hand dancing" before. The plague next to the Cd's read, "Hand dancing, also known as 'D.C. swing,' is a form of swing dance that can be traced to the 1920s... characterized by gliding dance moves and continuous hand communication between the partners."

The CD collection originated as records from the 1950's and were transferred to CD in the 1990s by 'Whip' Willis. This style of dance and music is one of many art forms that became a staple in the community. There are many forms of music, such as go-go music, that became affiliated with the city at the time of MLK. I find it interesting the smaller genres that were kept around, such as hand dancing. It is a reminder of the significance of art in culture, and that every piece can tell a story. (Grace Lyons)

HIdden Gems: Artifacts of DC's 90's PUNK SCene

The MLK library hosts an unexpectedly thorough exhibit on the evolution of Punk music in 1990s DC. Featuring a display on the intersection of Punk and Activism, this exhibit emphasizes the potential of current Washingtonians' creativity to incite meaningful change. Visitors can take home abridged versions of the scene's punk Zines-- making this a must see stop for any music history enthusiast!

(Sophia Moustaid)

Displaying multi-media resources

The exhibitions in the library are all deliberately designed. They used a relatively small space to express a lot of information. Specifically, there is a use of multi-media resources, including pictures, text, audio, and video. In this section, the storytelling from individuals is displayed by video and audio. We can choose the content we want to see from the tablet it will play the audio. This provides an opportunity for the small show to be really informative. (Xiwen Liu)

Photos by Xiwen Liu

Photo by Xiwen Liu

Art in the children's' section (Meghan Smith)

Child-friendly library

The space is especially child-friendly. There is a whole child reading room space, with all seating areas, play areas, and great books. They utilize the wall to do all kinds of interaction with children. And there's even a slide from the second floor to the first floor. All the resources are just easily accessible to the local community. Look at the picture on the left! That's maybe one of the best mask advertisements I've seen. I feel that the future generation will be flourished here. (Xiwen Liu)

Antiracism at the MLK Library?

The curators at the MLK Jr. Library appeared to be sending a very distinct anti-racist message through their selection of books. The books pictured below were next to each other on the shelves, and their titles tell a story which is: 1.) minority communities are disadvantaged, 2.) capitalism is a modern form of slavery, and 3.) protesting and political activism are the only safeguards against economic exploitation. (Evan Wollerton)

Photos by Evan W.

photo by Meghan Smith

Freeways and Displacement

One of the exhibits at the MLK Library discussed how Washingtonians (partially-successfully) fought off the network of freeways that was proposed to bisect the city. As we learned later this week from Susan Piedmont-Palladino, as cities have grown, our transportation preferences - from compact cities to streetcars/railroads to individual cars - have vastly changed. As a result, freeways were proposed to enable efficient travel around the city.

Looking at maps, very little of the proposed network was built. An extension of I-95 would have run from where it currently meets the Beltway north of Washington, DC, to connect with what is currently I-395 near the Capitol; one draft shows multiple freeways would have cut off pretty much all of Anacostia from the rest of the city. K Street would have been part of a freeway connecting Annapolis to Georgetown, crossing the Potomac near the Chain Bridge, and one early draft showed freeways running across and under the National Mall. One quote that stuck out was that the network was a "white man's road through a Black man's home."

Sadly, the main freeway through DC today is the Anacostia Freeway, DC 295 - a road I travel every time I drive between New Jersey and Williamsburg. I can see how it has literally bisected a community from the road, and even more so when on the ground (as we did on the Peace Walk). (Justin Oei)

Culture represented using DAyglow

Upon walking around the upstairs gallery the use of dayglow in a variety of areas caught my eye. Starting as something used in DIY street signs and album covers, Dayglow has found its way into almost every aspect of culture. Upon my continued exploration of DC I began to notice the use of dayglow almost everywhere I went, especially in exhibits relating to African American culture. Dayglow began as something artists mused in their album art and ads for performances, and has since found a way into countless other mediums such as books, clothing, and protest posters. I think as someone who is interested in graphic design and creating advertisements in the future I was really drawn to the use of dayglow for its ability to clearly put out a message that quickly grabs the viewers attention in a fun and creative way.

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