As we move through day 30 of the government shut down and a country divided, things seem pretty dark. It can be easy to get lost in all the darkness that can surround our world, our country, and our personal lives every day. Tune in to whatever medium you receive your daily news, and you will surely be reminded about all of the pain and suffering that seems to envelop the word.
In criminal defense, we fight hard to protect the rights of citizens and defend the U.S. Constitution, a task that is never easy. We work with people during their darkest hours, helping them to make sense of impossible situations and many times the impossibly complex circumstances leading up to the decisions made that drastically altered the course of a person’s life.
However, “only in the darkness can you see the stars.” (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is bearing witness to the human spirit’s incredible capacity for transformation through the power of acceptance, forgiveness, support, and the ultimate desire to do better.
Today, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who believed that even in the darkest moments there is reason to hope—that we all have stars in our lives if we know where to look.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King today and this week by attending any one of the various marches or unity walks happening around the Valley. If you are working or marching is not your thing, think about watching a documentary or film about the life and legacy of Dr. King like the documentary series Eyes on the Prize or the movie Selma. Or brush off that old library card and settle in with a good book like And Still I Rise: Black America since MLK. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a great time to connect with your kids and share with them the importance of Dr. King’s message of unity. Monica Clark-Robinson’s Let the Children March is a good book to share to begin to facilitate meaningful conversations.
Or maybe you look for those stars in your life and make time to make that phone call send an email or text, or sit down and share a meal. With all the darkness out there, we could all use a little light.
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day from our office to you.
“10 Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes that can Change the World.” (2019). Bright Drops. https://brightdrops.com/inspirational-martin-luther-king-jr-quotes