2020: A historic year from which we must learn!: 4 examples!
Whether one considers it good or bad, there is no doubt that 2020 will go down in the history books as a landmark year. Many believe that the nation is currently at a crossroads, where, how, when and why, go forward, you can have lasting, relevant and sustainable impacts! The news of the year was undoubtedly dominated by the horrific pandemic, which has claimed more than 560,000 American lives and millions worldwide. To make matters worse, there was a significant increase in the number of hate crimes, and the nation never seemed to have the degree of polarization! Without a doubt, the presidential elections of the year will go down as, unlike anything we have witnessed, in recent memory. This country, in crisis, experienced a response from some of the former president’s main supporters, which combined, using, conspiracy theories (at their worst), a nation divided – by – race (and racism), and an Acceptance! , by too many, of false facts/alternative theories, as reality! With that in mind, this article will attempt, briefly, to consider, examine, review and discuss 4 related examples, from which important/essential lessons, if not learned, will have potentially dire impacts. / ramifications, towards the future.
one. Pandemic, and preparations: President Trump seemed to depart from the previous one in many ways, but nowhere was the impact more apparent than in his overall handling of the pandemic, from the start! He consistently departed from tradition, largely: downplaying the existing pandemic preparatory board/commission, then denying it, calling it a hoax, and setting an example, which harmed the nation’s public health efforts! ! Although Trump is not to be blamed and is not responsible for the pandemic, many believe his approach delayed and undermined our response and preparedness, and caused a significant number of additional illnesses and deaths. , which, if appropriate, without delay! How we respond, in the future, will likely determine whether we witness another public health disaster, again!
two. Hate crimes and polarization: We witnessed a number of police actions related to race, etc., as few have observed! Systemic racism has clearly pervaded our culture and unless/until we say we will not accept the hate, the level of polarization, we will destroy America, beyond recognition to many! The alarming amount of crime against people of color, the Asian community, Jews, etc. must not be allowed to continue! We have seen this before, and we must say, never again!
3. 2020 presidential election: The impacts of the pandemic affected almost every aspect of the 2020 presidential election! Reduced, candidates, campaigns, with the public, and fake news, communicated, through social networks and other smaller media outlets, made things worse! Every time something Trump didn’t like surfaced, he resorted to proclaiming it to be fake news, etc. How campaigns should be approached, carried out and monitored, sooner rather than later!
Four. Events between Election Day and January 6, 2021: This nation cannot tolerate events like the siege, insurrection, and violence on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021! Many of the individuals, arrested and charged, in these crimes, pointed to statements/rhetoric made by Mr. Trump, as justifying him, and claimed, believed, that they were patriots supporting his president and nation! How many times, can we allow, the recounts, after having done them? There must be better guidelines and a focus on creating greater confidence in our national elections!
Either we become better, due to what we have learned, from the events of 2020, or, we will continue, seeing, even worse! Will you demand better and more?