With tens of thousands of people occupying the streets, squares, Citibanks, and other public places of America to demand economic human rights for all, the dedication of a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. seems like good timing—even if the memorial itself is kinda weird.

Today's memorial dedication ceremony on the National Mall (which was supposed to take place in August, but ugh—Ireeeeennnnne) brought out President Barack Obama and his family, Stevie Wonder, Ledisi, Jesse Jackson Jr., and thousands of others who sang and spoke works of praise for the civil rights hero. In his speech, President Obama said MLK "would call on us to assume the best in each other rather than the worst, and challenge one another in ways that ultimately heal rather than wound." He also suggested (in so many words) that today's perpetually outraged Americans might learn something from MLK's nonviolent teachings, eloquent writings, and inspirational YouTube videos, if we could just sit down and stop screaming at each other for a damned moment. If you'd like to read Obama's whole statement, hit the "Click" button on your computer right now. [Image via Getty]

Stevie Wonder and Ledisi. [Image via Getty]

[Image via Getty]

Valerie Jarrett, first daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, and Marian Robinson [Image via Getty]

MLK Jr. National Memorial Project Fund President/CEO Harry Johnson, President Obama, and Malia Obama [Image via Getty]

[Image via Getty]