A LETTER TO 2020
Cruel Lessons to Potential Blessings
Do you remember the countdown of 2019, awaiting a toast to the new year? Do you remember the optimism to leave all uncertainty and tragedy behind? Well, not only was that not the case, but it left an imprint that other years cannot hold a candle to.
Among universal crises, social injustices, and death, 2020 was a force to be reckoned with. Despite that, lying in the new year’s wake is a perspective that the world wasn’t used to before. The most significant cause of all the turmoil has been the global pandemic; COVID-19 affected every nation to the point of indefinite isolation, with many “essential” exceptions. It has caused widespread unemployment, food insecurity, and the loss of family members and friends. And that doesn’t account for this year’s death of notable figures like Kobe Bryant and Alex Trebek.
The global pandemic allowed us to collect our thoughts, determine what is urgent and what requires elimination. We were reminded to cherish each moment because things can change in an instant. For 2020, that sense of urgency trickles down to more than taking care of your own.
Before this year, race relations seemed to be on the back burner. However, violent events would push social injustices to center stage. A knee in solidarity became a revolt. The tragedies of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims forced society to notice and listen. And in certain respects, it allowed the unaffected and oblivious to state their reasoning for isolating themselves from the cause, whether it be due to ties to law enforcement, military, or the way someone was taught.
2020 is the year we became more aware and more engaged. From professional sports to corporate America to schools and at home, the nation finally opened up a discussion silenced for far too long. It made us transparent. More engaged. From sports leagues down to our households, it opened that conversation that many have left on standby.
Ditto for becoming more invested in politics, mostly because of Trump’s tenure.
Has it been perfect? No. (See cancel culture)
Yet, has it allowed for all to have an opinion? Absolutely.
For better or worse, social media offered the platform for us to have public discourse. Whether it is as striking as a Terry Crews #blm statement or not.
And while each of these attributes may not sustain, some will help lives to improve.
So here’s to 2020! It dealt us all setbacks. More importantly, it taught us lessons we ought to take to the new year, and perhaps, be better for it.
