Our seeds in generations to come will watch fiction about the year that was 2020 and gasp in disbelief that most of the horror stories were true. As the adage goes… the truth is stranger than fiction. And reflecting on 2020, it was bizarre, destructive, but like a phoenix, we will rise from the ashes of devastation.
“I’m happy Donald Trump became the president… Because we gotta destroy before we elevate!”
-Rick Ross “Apple of My Eye”
That line from a Rick Ross song summaries this ratchet year. Poor leadership at the time of crisis snowballed into an avalanche of destruction. When rebuilding a house, you have to demolish the old house, then cement a new solid foundation in order to rebuild.
Reflecting On 2020
A video from Google reveals hopelessness, pondering endless questions “why,” and a strive for overcoming severe obstacles.
Losses
2020 started off strange when we lost Kobe and Gigi. This was devastating…
We lost even more greats including civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis. movie star Chadwick Boseman, and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Racial Injustice
America finally saw the disgusting truth of racism Black people experience every day when they witnessed George Floyd’s murder. The country, the world stood with Black people to protest against police brutality and systemic racism.
There were countless more instances catching headlines including the murders of Ahmaud Aubery & Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Crowds cried for the defunding of police. Meaning, channeling policing funding in neighborhoods of color towards outreach programs which can help avoid mental health issues before they become serious conflicts. Furthermore, funding should educate existing police officers in sensitivity training.
Yet we saw domestic white terrorism at an all-time high, and former commander in chief fanning racial flames telling his racist supporters, “Stand back and stand by!”
Gladly, many corporations, sports, and Hollywood acknowledged America’s filthy stain and made strives to denounce it.
Natural Disasters
Every year we can expect hurricane and wildfire seasons. This year, however, both natural disaster cycles were more severe than normal.
Covid-19
The coronavirus disrupted everything, everywhere. In my honest opinion, the disease is terrible, especially for people with weakened immune systems and/or pre-existing conditions- though I doubt the accuracy of the infection and death statistics. I believe they are drastically inflated.
Stimulus Checks
Stimulus checks went out nearly two months into the pandemic, and a terrible excuse for a second one started towards the end of the year. We shall see if the American people will receive more funding… or will old privileged Congressmen keep playing with power?
Elections
Although the elections were wild (and hilarious at times) the American people have spoken and voted in a pair of leaders that will change the country for the better.
In the end, Joe Biden won the presidency. Kamala Harris is the first Black Vice President and first female VP.
After a ton of lawsuits and political foolery, Trump never conceded. He created more frivolous lawsuits, lost all of them, and pointed fingers instead of being a leader.
Vaccines
Now vaccines are available for emergency usage. Health officials are asking everyone to receive it. They are assuring us that it is safe. However, no one knows the effects the vaccine can have in 20 or 30 years…
Resilience
Reflecting on 2020 left us with a burning desire wanting to know why? No matter how much this treacherous year has beaten us down, we get back up. A new day is here…
Happy New Year and good riddance 2020!
2021
Update: January 6th of the following election year is traditionally set as a ceremony for Congress to officially count and certify the electoral college votes. In the year 2021, it was a disgrace as Trump supports attended his personal propaganda rally then raided the Capitol building. Disrupting the process, forcing a lockdown of officials. Congressional members resumed the count, but only after the area was cleared for their safety. Trump incited them and did the bare minimum to disperse them. Only adding fuel to the fire, telling them they were cheated out of an election.
Photo credits: Bloomberg/Getty Images, Art Streiber
