Why 2020 Isn’t As Awful As Many Claim It To Be
2020 is written with 3D colorful numbers standing on a white surface - 3D rendering illustration
The year 2020 began with death, followed by a deadly virus, more death then was followed by unemployment hitting an all-time high. And now we have politics taking the lead. Oh, wait, did I forget to mention the dividing of not only our county but races as well. Phew… it’s been real these last couple of months. But yet, we’re still here.
I say all that to make this point. While 2020 has been awful, it’s also been great. The sports world lost Kobe Bryant. But in the process, the same people who may have not given the man his respect as one of the greats had to rewatch those same games and highlights and witnessed what millions already knew. The man was a living legend. Now they get it.
COVID-19 hit and shook the world to its core. The virus is deadly and can be spread by just about anything. The world was on shutdown and rightfully so. But because of it, we as Americans had time to sit and think about our lives. Family dinners became the norm again. We called to check up on people we may have forgotten about due to our hectic schedules.
Social Media became the most important thing to everyone but not in a bad way. While Donald Trump may have his issues with TikTok, that app kept the world sane through these trying times. The dance challenges and just the funny skits kept laughter and spirits high.
Unemployment was crazy and some are still feeling the effects of it today. But the government decided to step in and help the people. What that did was teach some that we were spending money at a rate we had no business doing. With everything on closed, there was no need to buy the unnecessary stuff we normally world. COVID-19 taught us the importance of saving.
Eating out at restaurants was no more. No more $200 meals. That money can now go either in the bank or stock your pantry for the next month. The shift in finances has taught us the importance of saving money that we may have taken for granted.
What has hit Americans the hardest in 2020 has been a racial or political issue. There has always been a divide in the country but this year, it’s really rearing its ugly head. Police brutality has caused some hard truths to come to the forefront and many are showing no remorse. It didn’t start out as a black vs white conversation but that’s exactly what it has turned into.
But why has that been a good thing you might ask?
Simple. There is no more hiding how one truly feels not just about you but the color of your skin or what your core beliefs are. They say racism lives deep in some people, but with the way things have gone in 2020, we’re now seeing the truths that some people have hidden so well. Imagine working with a person for 10 years, being considered a friend then boom, George Floyd happens. Now, you see them on Social Media spewing hatred against a man or woman of a different color.
This is good because now you know who your true friends are. No more hiding, the truth is now out there. Do what you want with that information.
The political race has caused more issues much like the protest that have gone on. Americans now understand the importance of voting. What some may have taken for granted, with Trump in office or the possibility of having Joe Biden take over, Americans now see they need to have a voice.
All in all, this was about showing that no matter how hard times are or may get in the future, 2020 has taught us the value of family, time, saving, loving your own voice, and standing up for what you believe in.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
