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2020 is pretty much over and I have lots of emotions.

On one hand, I think everyone needed the unavoidable pause that COVID-19 placed in our lives. But on the other hand, COVID was/is horrible. I would’ve much rather just have taken a stay-cation than being forced to deal with a global pandemic.

But minus the sickness, death, grocery store hoarding, lack of toilet paper and disinfecting products, Black and brown people dying at disproportionate rates, and constant lies from Trump and his administration, it wasn’t all bad. It made all of us slow down, reflect and prioritize our lives more. Companies that have always had the technology to allow for remote work finally used it and allowed their employees to work remotely, so people were able to keep their jobs and spend more time at home with loved ones.

Personally, I’d take spending time with family over co-workers any day, but based on what I’ve seen on social media, others feel differently. Yes, my husband and daughter get on my nerves, but unlike co-workers, I can tell them to shut up. Plus, when it’s all said and done, family are the people who truly love you and have your back. Spending more time at home with my family is always a good thing, but so many people on my timeline were ready to ditch them and get back to their coworkers.

This leads me to my first question that came out of the chaos of 2020: Why are we more comfortable spending the majority of our time with strangers than we are with our family? 

Another incident that made the world pause was the murder of George Floyd. Millions of people watched as police officer/murderer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on George’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds until he died. Floyd’s death triggered major protests in Minneapolis and sparked rage across the country. Unfortunately, actions similar to this against Black and brown bodies are not new.

For decades, Black people have complained about the abuse from the police to deaf ears. Something about this death was different. Not only did it finally make some white people pay attention, but it was kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back for Black people.

I was so hopeful! I was thinking, “This is it, this is going to be the murder that finally makes white people become action figures and actually do something to invoke real change.” Well, five more deaths plus the cops that killed Breyonna Taylor still not being charged, and my optimism has turned to indignation.

White people, you are finally on the other side of history. Whenever Black people bring up slavery or any other of the really messed up stuff that happened, your favorite rebuttal is, “I can’t go back in time and change what my ancestors did, let’s focus on the present. That was a long time ago, stop living in the past.” But now, *you have a chance to change what’s happening, and what are *you doing? Googling George Floyd’s arrest record to justify him dying versus being arrested for a crime. Or, you’re doing absolutely nothing. You’re shaking your head and saying stuff like, “This is not the America I want to live in,” and then going back in your comfortable bubbles and doing absolutely nothing. Do you know what that says to me? All lives don’t matter.

My next question for 2020 is: Will white people ever be on the right side of history?

I saw memes all over social media from Black people that were so upset because they are just now figuring out that the white people in their lives are really racist.

Question: Why did it take a Trump presidency and negative responses to the BLM movement for you to realize the majority of white people are racist? The foundational structure of systematic racism that they refuse to dismantle wasn’t a clue?

To clarify, when I say racist I am not just talking about hood wearing racist. I am talking about “*you’re not like most Black people” racist. Don’t we experience enough micro-aggressions and discrimination on a daily basis? When are we going to stop inviting white folks to the “barbeque” just because they can do a dance or like our music, and start holding them accountable for the racists and biased things they do?

Let’s stop complaining and being surprised when white people do inhuman, evil actions toward us and remember what history has shown us. When white people start acting like real allies, start holding other white people accountable and start calling out the unfair things that happen, then we can invite them to the barbeque.

I know some of you are going to read this and be in agreement with me. Others will read it and not like it or think I sound like an angry Black woman. They will be right, too. I am angry. No matter your skin color, gender or class in life, you should be angry too; and you should have your own set of questions for 2020 because we cannot take this foolishness into 2021. All of these events are a huge reminder that if something affects one of us, it will eventually affect all of us. Like it or not, we are connected.

Ask your questions and demand some answers in 2020 so we can have a better, more inclusive, future.