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One Crazy Trip Around The Sun
f you're reading this right
now, I suggest you give yourself a pat on the back be- cause you survived the most chaotic solar cycle in recent history. And that's not an exag- geration.
2020 was, arguably, the worst year ever. If I could illus- trate how absolutely horrible the last twelve months were in a drawing it would depict a house full of masked people cowering inside their home, afraid to go outside, due to the fear of what may happen next?
While there were more than a few unbelievable moments this year including Kobe Bryant's death, Tom Brady joining the Tampa Bay Bucca- neers and Kamala Harris becoming the first Black and female Vice President, 2020 could be summed up by just 3 events: The COVID-19 pan- demic, the social unrest that
followed the brutal murder of George Floyd by Minneapo- lis police officers and Donald Trump's bratty refusal to ac- cept his loss in the presidential election.
Yes, there were historical wildfires that ravaged the west coast, a record hurricane sea- son in the Gulf of Mexico, mys- terious metal monoliths that appeared almost daily in re- mote places across the globe and an inexplicable terrorist bombing in Nashville, Ten- nessee, of all places, recently.
But, make no mistake about it, COVID-19, George Floyd and Trump slowly be- coming unhinged, stole the show.
Regardless of the age of any person you ask, he or she will probably tell you that the events they witnessed in 2020 were unlike any they had ever seen. And, more than likely,
most would say they hope to never experience them again.
Ironically, though, 2020 ac- tually lived up to the meaning of its optical moniker... Clear and perfect vision.
Through all of the commo- tion and calamity it presented, it removed the smokescreen and allowed people to gain an understanding of the hypocrisy this country has maintained while exposing how systemic racism, bias and white privi- lege has stymied the progress of people of color for centuries.
In that way the tumult of 2020 created the kind of puri- fying fire this nation needed to rid itself of the muck and grime that hid its true poten- tial.
Yes, it was troubling, gut- wrenching at times and life al- tering for many. But, hopefully, all of the pain, agony and suffering was what we had to endure in order for us to reach a better place in 2021... The year of the Black- jack.
At least I hope and pray that's the case. Good riddance and Happy New Year.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Com- pany. You can email Mr. Barr at: cbscribe2@- gmail.com.
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New Year Resolution: 2021
Where should we begin? Perhaps, we should ask, where should we end? Well, the New Year 2021 is upon us. So, what are you going to give up?
In the face of the worst pandemic since the Spanish Flu, and in midst of a presidential meltdown, where the outgoing regime is systematically eviscerating our democracy, is there anyone in our nation who could think straight enough to consider seriously the idea of a New Year’s resolution?
So, what would you give up---maybe that grudge you’ve been holding on to for at least 15 years? How about professional football?.... especially when one thinks about the risks each player and player’s fam- ily is subjected to just to provide entertainment for gladiatorial stir-crazy sports fans—or is that a bit too much to give up?
So, how about no longer eating out at restaurants, or no longer seeing friends face to face? Maybe you should be courageous and commit to saving two lives by wearing a mask you have refused to wear all year--- -yours and someone else’s. Last, but not least, maybe you should give up unnecessary plane trips.
There is not much that we Americans are willing to do without. The truth is, many of us are simply spoiled and self-centered. Hence, as we approach, 2021, we all should resolve to make one resolution—that we cease being a spoiled and self-centered society.
Happy New Year.
Black And COVID-19
oday, we need to think about what the future holds for us. Our god-
brother, and cousin, who lived in another state, died recently of COVID-19, after being re- leased from the hospital. He had underlying health risks -- - obesity and kidney dialysis.
He had constantly encour- aged his son to wear masks and stop his risky behavior --– motorcycle club meetings, partying and close contact with people he hardly knew.
Unfortunately, his son con- tracted COVID-19, followed by his wife, daughter and then himself. His wife, son and daughter recovered, unfortu- nately he didn’t.
I tell you this story in case you recognize a similar situa- tion in your family or among friends. This kind of behavior can significantly reduce the Black American population. This scenario takes place all over the country probably fu-
eling the disproportion of hos- pitalizations and deaths that exist among American Indi- ans, Asians, Blacks and His- panics.
Factors that increase com- munity spread and individual risks also include crowded sit- uations (bars, restaurants, church, etc.) close physical contact (less than six feet), du- ration of time while in an en- closed space, and not observing mask wearing and hand washing guidelines.
Our Black and Native Americans COVID-19 death tolls “exceeds 1 in 800 nation- ally with the Native American rate exceeding the rate for Blacks,” Black, Indigenous (Native Americans) and Latino Americans all have a COVID-19 death rate of more than 2.7 times White Ameri- cans.
Yet, these groups of people jumped in their cars and on planes for Thanksgiving and
Christmas, instigating “super spreader” family dinners and parties. Impatient to wait 6-9 months for a vaccine, there is no doubt family dinners and parties contributed to the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays, whether the fam- ily members traveled by car, bus or airplane.
We must treat all personal interactions as if we are deal- ing with rattlesnakes. Would you approach a rattlesnake close enough for it to strike and bite you?
There are still people run- ning around out there who think COVID-19 is a hoax. If you still believe COVID-19 is a hoax, I can give you the names and telephone numbers of people who survived COVID- 19 and the names of people who lost family members and friends to COVID-19. A local newspaper publishes the names and sometimes pic- tures of persons who have died from COVID-19.
It is too late for my god- brother, but you still have time to change your behaviors that could lead to your saving your life or the lives of people you love ---family and friends.
With this in mind, I wish all of you a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year and future.
I
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