WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“On what would be the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 89th birthday, I joined the Delaware State Bar Association, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, Delaware State University and Raising Kings annual events to remark and reflect on Rev. King's life and legacy. We discussed how Rev. King was able to make the sacrifices that he did for our nation.
“Rev. King chose hope. Hope in an environment where there was no rational reason to have any. He was faced with opposition and violence rooted in racism. There was no reason for him to believe in the promise of America. He could have turned his back in hatred on a nation that had disrespected and deserted him and millions of others.
“Instead, he pulled us forward, insisting on righteous impatience. Righteous impatience that was rooted in love and hope. As Americans, we should be determined to show that same spirit in extending a hand to those who have different political priorities or views. We should challenge ourselves to be willing to forgive those who repent, to be reconciled with those who have done wrong.
“If Rev. King were here today, he would urge us to remain hopeful but to maintain that righteous impatience. He would insist on progress towards seeing, confronting and healing the very deep divisions in our nation.
“It is my New Year’s resolution to be more hopeful, to believe in the possibility of progress, even when times seem so difficult. The best way to celebrate the lasting legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is to continue to confront racism wherever we experience it, to speak truth to power, and remain open to loving our enemies in the hope that we will yet find a way forward together.”
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