2020 was full of balance: life-death, black-white, captive-free, give-take, togetherness-loneliness, for-against, boundless-limited, create-destroy, bitter-sweet, agree-disagree, cruel-kind, diseased-healthy. This year we shed the unnecessary, fixing our relationships with government, co-workers, friendships, and family. Our ability to adapt was tested. Our reaction?
Buying “end of the world sized” toilet paper, but overtime we adjusted. The education system got a software update. Frontline workers rose to the challenge. The word "essential" was changed forever. Once we started to become accustomed to masks and Zoom, some of us cultivated new or existing things we are passionate about (baking and gardening became popular, along with sustainable and ethical living goals). However, some people's passions are a little more impactful than others. This year, many important movements gained momentum. Black Lives Matter protested in honor of Gorge Floyd. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) promoted a Day of Silence highlighting the erasure of LGBTQIA+ people in schools. Indigenous people continue to fight against pipeline projects and for land rights from Black Hills to the Amazon in Para to Wet'suwet'en. Statues were toppled. Queen Isabella is out of the Capitol building, Columbus is down from his garden pedestal, but kids are still in cages. We are recognizing that self care is necessary to maintain a healthy relationship with ourselves. All in all, what I have learned is that sometimes it takes a worldwide pandemic and organized chaos to show us what the real issues are and that even when six feet apart, we can still be united.
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AuthorsMaya Diaz-Villalta and Adela Diaz-Villalta Archives
December 2020
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