2021 isn’t off to a great start, but there’s still hope
If one had to summarize 2020, it will definitely be a year that will never be forgotten, globally and especially in Nashville.
A deadly tornado hit Nashville the night of March 2 and the morning of March 3. The COVID-19 pandemic began to shut the country down March 12 after the NBA suspended the season and the NCAA canceled the college basketball playoffs and the Final Four.
This was coupled with Metro Nashville Public School closures in response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which has shed light on various social and economic issues for minority students, including digital learning, food insecurity, and homelessness, as well as access to childcare, health care, housing, internet, and disability services. Then, the Black Lives Matter movement and the national protest for police reform, morphed into a worldwide demonstration for racial justice and equality.
We were so looking forward to 2021 and then early Christmas morning a bomb was detonated in the heart of downtown Nashville.
The past year along with gratification and much we should be thankful for, has also been a time of trials, tragedies and tribulations.
However, we came into the new year with the hope that we could embark on a year filled with an opportunity to heal ourselves as we move forward, working together in unity and solidarity, with 2021 becoming a year of healing.
And then on Wednesday, Jan. 6, another day that will live in infamy in our nation’s history, a mob of protesters and Trump loyalist stormed the “People’s House,” the U.S. Capitol, attempting to disrupt the peaceful certification of the Electoral College results of the transition of presidential power, putting a threat to the foundation of American democracy.
After Jan. 6 and for the remainder 2021, we should reaffirm our belief in America and the Preamble to the United States Constitution, beginning with the words, “We the People” and abide by the fundamental purposes and guiding principles of our democracy.
Spencer Wiggins is president and founder of consulting firm People Services Solutions, LLC and former chairman of The Tennessee Human Rights Commission.