2020 is finally ending. I’m sure that everyone on the face of the earth feels that this was a long year, but at the same time, it was a short year. It was a long year because the pandemic affected everything and made a lot of us shelter-in-place. So, each day felt the same as the other day. It was a short year because of that same effect of living the same day over and over again. It was a contradictory year.
The year started with a lot of promise. Starting a new fresh decade felt like there would be a lot of possibilities for everyone. And, of course, it was going to be an election year in the United States. That alone would signal an eventful political year. There was a guarantee of excitement with a large and diverse field of candidates for President (outside of the Republican situation). It was refreshing to see several women vying for the Democratic candidacy. And when Kamala Harris took a swipe at Joe Biden, I thought we had finally arrived.
But, of course, Americans are still not comfortable with Black women leading. Biden ended up getting the nomination, and to his credit, he called up Kamala Harris to join him as the vice president for the Democratic ticket. As usual, Trump stirred up his constituency, and we continued to see baseless attacks against the Biden/Harris ticket.
I won’t go into all of the craziness of the American election for 2020. What can be said is that it was obvious that we were saddled with a madman for a President. Although it has been comforting to see Biden and Harris build up a very diverse and representative cabinet, the backdrop to all of their progressive moves has been starkly dark.
President Trump has been the foil against any progress regarding aid for the American people. The man is currently golfing while millions of people are left on the sidelines without aid regarding job benefits and eviction protections. Come January 1st; we may see millions of people being evicted from their apartments. That may be followed by some negative effects on the housing market. That remains to be seen since I’m sure that many people are not current on their mortgage payments.
One thing is certain. No one will forget 2020. Hopefully, people will begin to wake up from the bad events caused by naked capitalism. Naked capitalism caused the misery of the pandemic. This president prioritized capitalism over public health. It has been naked capitalism that has led the entire world astray during the fight against the pandemic. Many governments worldwide set up a false dichotomy between the economy and health as choices to be made while fighting the pandemic. News flash—you can’t have an economy if people are sick.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the police continued their terrorism of black and brown bodies. It culminated with the death of George Floyd during the Memorial Day weekend. That really blasted the rest of our summer. It was gratifying to see large crowds of protestors out there. But, the truth is that until we take a look at the original sins of this country, slavery, and genocide, we won’t be able to rectify the harm that is continuing in our communities.
Perhaps, 2021 will be the year that we finally value life over money. We need a Soul Vaccination.
Wonder Woman 1984. Let me just say that I’m tried of women having to give up everything to save humanity.