'Crescent of Embrace'

'Crescent of Embrace', the much anticipated memorial designed for the victims of 9/11 Flight 93, according to some looks like a symbol of the Islamic red crescent, suggesting Islamic victory.

To me, because of the designers' known affiliations to the left extreemists, they were more likely to have  modelled it on the Marxist red sickle of communism. In fact only a far left activist would ever consider what traditionally is a symbol of a sharp industrial tool, to be one of 'peace' and 'unselfish sacrifice', which in their distorted minds signifies unity.

Coming from a family, who has fought communism through the generations, I beg to differ. That Crescent of Embrace will soon feel more  like a Crescent of Strangulation.

Designed by architects Milena and Paul Murdoch, who according to some accounts not only lean to the left, but resemble the Tower of Pizza, call the project "a huge emotional investment". I am afraid their emotions are running at complete polar odds with what should have been a symbol of healing and bonding for the bereaved, and the U.S. as a whole.

Even more disturbing is that even at the second-stage of progress the jury that selected the design recommended changing its name to steer clear of religious overtones. Rather than crescent, the jury suggested using a circle or arc of embrace instead. And that was IGNORED? This is not a neutral context, you cannot simply ignore what the world may recognize as it's symbolism. Especially as one of the obvious conclusions is likely to be one associated with Islam.

In Islam, the crescent moon symbolizes the beginning and end of a calendar month. Crescents are prominent on mosques and are used on ambulances similar to red crosses in America. It is the symbol of ritual and religious life for Muslims.
   
We live in hope that the $30 mil. private money required to build it, will not materialize. Otherwise what  the citizens of Pennsylvania would have wanted to represent a respectful memory, may well turn into a very unpleasant controversy. Even worse, another platform on which the fundamentalists may wish to sow some more seeds of hate. Personally, I think the Murdochs should withdraw gracefully, before steps are taken to have their design changed.

The Murdoch's next project is designing a swastika memorial for the survivors of the Holocaust, but for that they will not need $30 mil, they will need 24/7 armed protection.

"Arthur Chrenkoff reviews "The Flight That Fought Back"--a Discovery Channel documentary airing on Sept. 11 that properly commemorates the brave passengers of Flight 93." via Michelle Malkin. 

Ed Morrissey @ Captain's Quarters calls the design clueless, and Mark Moore does a great job with the flags of Islam. The Tribune Democrat publishes the controversy.

Look, whether the memorial resembles the red crescent of Islamic victory, or the sickle of communism, it  is utterly innapropriate in any cicumstance. As I said, this, of all subjects, is hardly neutral. Whether the intention was inadvertent or deliberate, is at this point irrelevant. What is relevant is that the memory of these peoples' deaths is not tarnished with a single thought dedicated to the terrorists that killed them. I mean really.

Comments

[Huan]

i think it is a take off of the Vietnam Wall Memorial in design
then modified to be different to be "original"
the result isn't bad artistically
but it isn't about art for art sake
t is not meant to only honor the sacrifices of those aboard the flight
but also a reminder to the living of what happened
a crescent seems poorly conceived, both as a artistic motiff and a symbol of what happened

[Rebecca Cohen]

I think it's an exceptionally beautiful design. I think only a bigot would take exception to it. Will the rightwing nuts start complaining now, every time the moon is in its quarter phase?

ROFL at the idiots.

[Alexandra]

Ken, having read your post Crescent Cluelessness, it has highlighted yet another all too painful failing "tone deaf to the significance of flight 93".

You know it's always difficult to take the position of 'the glory of the heroes', instead of pampering to the ones left behind. It is an easier terrain to find plenty of landmines in, and by the time you finish writing the article, feel utterly misunderstood and angry with yourself for having started it in the first place. As I said, the glory path of the departed heroes is always the more difficult of the two, even though it has a reasonable amount of landmines of it's own, they are not defended by the heroes themselves but by the living relatives who remain, and whose level of criticism is inevitably centered around their own feelings, therefore making the terrain treacherous.

It is easier for you to reach your conclusion, deriving a huge amount of moral and spiritual strength from your Faith. You therefore know with absolute certainty and conviction, that when we weep we weep for ourselves, in utter delusion that we weep for the departed. That gives you the ever misunderstood accusative tone, which in fact is actually a tone in relentless memoriam to the heroes that did not just sit back in their seats, but saved others by way of sacrifice.

Ken, throughout history, if you decided to side with those that 'do', as opposed to those that 'don't', whether they are dead or alive, whether they are heroes now but were spat upon earlier, you will always draw the proverbial short straw. My genes unfortunately draw me to your position every time, and have taught me, no matter how hard that position may become, it is always the preferred one.

And what's with the esoteric Buddhist type peaceful shrine with the wind chimes, soft and gentle breezes and maple leaves, when the purpose is to commemorate the good old American values, the foundation upon which this great nation was built.

Well I for one understand exactly what you are saying.

I spend a lot of my time being misunderstood, so I know that feeling intimately. I do however feel that the day Michelle Malkin is the one to clarify what you are saying, I will get up from my desk, put my pen down, and never touch it again....