Before watching the documentary “Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision” I, personally, had no idea what went into the creation of this monument. I have been to see the memorial and have seen my reflection amongst the names. I was not only was surprised by the emotions brought up by the extent of the names listed but the beauty in the masses of different people from different ethnicities and backgrounds reflected down the wall as I stood there. Thinking of a young architectural student at Yale University being subjected to so many critics and judgment of not only Maya’s design but her life following the release of her design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial seems like a horrible thing to go through.
