Hello 2021

Feb 11

Stephanie Crawford, Ananda Griffin

Happy New Year, everyone! We made it! We finally made it to 2021. Originally, we planned to write a blog post about our collective rage, sadness, and frustration with 2020, but we figured why give more energy to a year that drained us emotionally, mentally, and physically? This is a New Year! So while we could reflect on last year, we would much rather look forward to all the possibilities that 2021 has to hold. In this post, we’re going to talk about which prospects are on our minds for 2021.

After four years of a toxic political atmosphere, marred with scandal, incitement of hate, and negligence, a new person in the presidency, is a welcome change. However, given the state of crisis in the United States‒the pandemic continues to ravage the nation, police violence, the unemployment rate, housing crisis, etc. We cannot let this inauguration make us complacent. President Biden will not be our angelic savior, as none of our problems will suddenly disappear when he’s sworn in. We cannot forget about the disruption we witnessed on January 6th with the storming of the Capitol and the political chaos that continues to follow it. In 2021, we must keep the same passionate energy defending and protecting vulnerable people. We have to keep organizing, protesting, holding our elected officials accountable and doing what we can to make America more equitable for all of us. Though we hope for the best for this new Congress and presidency, we know that the government does not prioritize nor work for marginalized people. We must do our best to continue supporting and protecting our most vulnerable communities.

While we will see a change in government, we will still be in the middle of a whole pandemic, panoramic, or pan dulce, if you will. It’s been a year since the COVID-19 virus was first identified, and some countries that were able to beat the virus have entered into a post-COVID world. However, the United States remains the epicenter of the viral infection, with an uncontrollable spread throughout the country. The end of 2020 did bring some new hope with the announcement and initial rollout of the Coronavirus vaccines. The announcement sent shockwaves across the country, with some praising the scientific innovation, some being apprehensive about the rapid development and rollout, and others devolving into conspiracy theories. Given the unclear direction and downplaying of the severity of COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak, general apprehension and concern surrounding the vaccine are not unfounded. The pandemic has devastated communities, and it continues to intensify, so a solution to this is what we desperately need. While complexities surround the vaccine, it does point to some hope on the horizon of what a post-COVID America might be. The possibility of getting there this year or in the near future gives us some hope. As it pertains to concerns about the vaccine, the best solution is to research it, using scientific and trusted sources to understand how it works and how it will impact one’s body. In the meantime, we still have to do our best to safeguard against COVID-19. Still to continue to wash your hands, wear masks (double up if possible!), social distance, and stay home.

For our own community, it is very exciting that some Spelmanites are back on campus. Not only have we all had to deal with all of the terror of COVID, but we’ve also had to do it without some of our closest friends staying a few doors down, and when we learned that no one would return in the Fall, everyone was devastated. Luckily, the COVID task force has organized a plan to return some First-Years and some seniors. Many of us have been yearning for the opportunity to get at least some of our Spelman experience back, so it is good that at least a portion of us can get that. The First-Years can get some of that Spelman experience they signed up for, and Seniors have time to say their goodbyes to the place they’ve dedicated four years to. As we are happy for those who get to return to campus, it is necessary to emphasize safety as much as possible. Everyone needs to follow safety protocols as closely as possible to keep Spelman as COVID-free as possible. Atlanta still has extremely high rates of the virus, so, as great as it is to be on campus, we cannot forget to wear our PPE and social distance. Over the last year, we’ve learned how to adapt and commune in safe ways, and I hope that Spelmanites will continue to put their health and the health of our communities first.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a New Year’s post without talking about the new opportunities 2021 could bring. Yes, time is socially constructed, and we can make certain changes at any point in time, but the New Year is a particular time dedicated to renewal. This is a great time to re-up on old promises that we’ve made to ourselves and to make new ones! 2021 presents an opportunity to employ what we gained from 2020. Last year, we endured so much hell, collective hurt, and chaos. But, we have the chance to learn from these experiences and come into 2021 equipped with what we need to press forward and reach a new level of self and community care. 2021 represents the opportunity to stay true to our needs and heal to become better individuals and community members.

As we welcome in this New Year, we have concerns about things like politics and things we are excited about, like all of the possible opportunities of a New Year, especially after an extraordinarily difficult one. There is still much to look forward to, but also things to brace ourselves for. After such a harrowing year, we’ve learned lessons and, hopefully, have been equipped with the skills to apply them. It’s still important to keep hope amid the chaos. Still make plans and resolutions, still dream and set goals, drink your water, donate to mutual funds, pray, meditate, and take care of yourself and your community.