On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all public schools and government buildings are closed. In observance of the day, many parades and acts of service are being performed. Still, during this year’s observance, a new statue honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, is making headlines, and not for the right reasons.

The $10 million bronze statue was revealed in Boston ahead of the civil rights leader’s 94th birthday. According to Embrace Boston, which works to dismantle racism through its artwork, community, research, and policy, the statue symbolizes the hug Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared with his wife after he won the Nobel Peace Prize. The figure also celebrates the couple’s time in Boston when they met as students. While many “embraced” the statue, others were confused about what it was or thought it was a failed attempt at honoring the Kings’. Spectators questioned the artist’s decision to feature the couple’s arms and not their heads. Others complained about how the statue looked pornographic when viewed from various angles. Martin Luther King III approved the statue, but some family members say it was a waste of money.

The statue is to be unveiled during ceremonies Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Coretta’s cousin has spoken to multiple media outlets. He says, “Ten million dollars were wasted to create a masturbatory metal homage to my legendary family members — one of the all-time greatest American families.” The cousin says he was not speaking for the rest of the family, but in his opinion, it is insulting to the black community to spend $10 million on a bronze statue with no heads when many minorities are below the poverty line. He says the best way to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day is through an act of service that’s not used as a photo op.

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