Lessons from the Year 2020

At the end of every year, I write a "year in review" entry, one that summarizes the year that has been. This year, I feel doing so would be an act of futility. We don't need to remember the year that has been, we can't forget it. We're still in the throes of the year that has been. January 1, 2021 we move on anew, carrying the wounds and battle scars we have earned this year. Many things will change, for the better. That being said, many things will stay the same.

In looking back on what I've written and shared here this year, the first piece was called "Clarity." I thought the year would give me great clarity and vision, for myself and for the country, as well as the rest of the world. And, in a way, I wasn't wrong.

-In January, we began to see the first cases of Covid-19, the coronavirus, in the United States. We did not yet know what a devastating impact this epidemic would have on the country, and on the world.

We also saw the impeachment trial of the current “President” of the United States. He was impeached by the House of Representatives; this was the first time that a President was impeached in his first term of office.

-In February, we began to see the first deaths of Covid-19. We also saw the Senate acquit the current “President” of all charges in his impeachment trial.

-In March much of the world went in to lockdown. The virus was then categorized a pandemic, a step higher than an epidemic. The world then began to look like a very scary place.

-In April we continued to watch the daily numbers of Covid patients rise, as well as those who had died of the disease. The numbers in both categories rose daily, to uncomfortable levels.

-In May we saw the on camera murder of George Floyd. We then saw protests after the murder, about the unequal treatment of Black people in America. 

-In June the country opened up again, and much of America went back to work. We saw ourselves in a new world, working in the workplace in a Covid world. While there was a feeling of familiarity, there were numerous unknowns, which was disconcerting.

We then saw protests regarding the murder of George Floyd occur around the world, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

-In July we saw the horrible milestone of one million people having contracted the virus. We also saw the death of Representative John Lewis. Lewis was an original Freedom Rider, was severely beaten on Bloody Sunday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and served in Congress for decades.

-In August we saw another horrific wildfire, this time in America. The Apple Fire spread across California faster than firefighters could keep up. The images looked apocalyptic, as much of the year had felt to date.

-In September we saw the first U.S. Presidential debate, between the current “President” and Democratic party candidate Joe Biden. It was a debate unlike any we had ever seen before. In fact, the event that occurred barely qualifies for the term.

We also saw the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an icon in the Judicial System of the United States. She championed women’s rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ rights. Every woman in the U.S. has rights they would not have had without justice Ginsburg.

-In October we saw the “President” of the United States be hospitalized with Covid. This was seen to be poetic justice for much of the country; the "President" had long declared the virus a hoax, and was caught on tape admitting he knew the deadly nature of the virus, and still downplayed the virus.

-In November we saw one of the most contentious Presidential elections in U.S. history. The incumbent “President” lost the popular vote by 8 million votes. He also lost the Electoral College vote. President elect Joe Biden won 306 votes, the current “President” won 232.

-In December we saw our first, and hopefully last, Covid Christmas. Like every major holiday of the year, we celebrated the holiday sheltered in place at home, mostly greeting friends and loved ones via phone calls or video calls.

 

We have seen a great deal happen in the year 2020, and we are traumatized by it. We are traumatized by the pandemic, by the fight for equal rights in America, and by a contentious Presidential election that almost divided the country in two. We have seen a great deal. We have seen too much. And we are forever changed as a result.

New Year’s Eve 2020, we all looked to the New Year with great anticipation. When the ball dropped in Times Square, ushering in the New Year, I breathed a sigh of relief. No one knows what lies ahead for us in 2021. However, that is the beauty of the future-the hope of possibility.

Keep looking up everyone. Keep your eyes open. 

Welcome New Year 2021. Be kind to us. We’ve seen a lot.