In moments of darkness and uncertainty, it can be tempting to believe that hope is a luxury we can’t afford. That it’s something we return to only when times are easy. But the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. teaches us something very different: hope is essential. Hope is enduring. And most importantly, hope is a practice. One that we must commit to over, and over again.
“We stand in life at midnight; we are always at the threshold of a new dawn.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Many people across Delaware and our nation are feeling the weight of midnight right now. The challenges before us are pressing, and the path forward isn’t always clear. But Dr. King reminds us that midnight is not the conclusion of our story. He understood that these moments of struggle are not permanent, and that even in our most difficult hours, the possibility of renewal is never out of reach.
Midnight, instead, is a moment of decision. A moment when we choose whether to retreat in fear, or to step forward together with purpose, courage, and resolve. And when we choose service over indifference, courage over cynicism, and hope over despair, we help bring that new dawn closer into view.
I believe deeply that both individually and collectively, we possess the capacity to meet this moment. I believe it because I’ve seen it firsthand: in the willingness to stay engaged even when progress stalls, in the steady work of finding common ground, and in the everyday acts of leadership and kindness that quietly move us forward.
As we honor Dr. King’s life and legacy today, we are called not only to reflect, but to act. Let us turn our shared values into tangible support for our neighbors and communities, and carry forward Dr. King’s vision through service and civic engagement.
Thank you for your commitment to our state, your care for your neighbors, and your unwavering belief in what we can accomplish together.
With gratitude and determination,
– Sarah McBride
