Trying to be Thankful in 2020
This is the week to be thankful, but 2020, you’ve made it nearly impossible. To be honest, I’m struggling to find my inner gratitude this year. A year that has brought us a pandemic, an election that raised our blood pressure and anxiety levels, continued social and racial injustice, and Bloodshot.
But this has also been the year of small victories and moments of joy. It has made us take stock of the importance of family, friendship, and self-care and preservation. 2020 has made us fight harder for our beliefs, protect what is essential, and forgive what we cannot control.
Sure, it may be a challenge and you may have to dig deep, but we all have something to be thankful for this year.
What I’m Thankful For in 2020…
The Democratic Process
President Elect and the future #46 Joe Biden won. He and our Future VP Kamala Harris won the electoral college and popular vote. It still brings me to tears of joy to write that sentence.
Our vote, the voice of the people, the power of the majority WON. Our democratic process is not dead, no matter what the Trump campaign or their frivolous lawsuits tell you. The power of the people is still alive, and neither a pandemic, nefarious voter suppression, nor the bridge troll known as Rudy Giuliani could stop it.
Frontline and Essential Workers
You should all be Time Person of the Year. You should all receive raises, have ALL your debt cancelled in perpetuity, be granted three months vacation EACH YEAR, and get free guac for life.
It’s the least we can do to show you our appreciation.
Curbside Pickup
C’mon. You got to go braless to Target or your favorite local restaurant, never leave your car, and someone, completely masked, placed your order in your car with a smile and a “Thank You.” On top of that, it reduced your chances of getting the ‘Rona.
This is what I think Heaven and/or The Good Place is like.
This Scene from Bridgerton
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It’s beautiful, delicious, perfectly conveys the family dynamic, and Regé-Jean Page’s accent is pure regency sex.
John Oliver’s Adam Driver Thirst Traps
While there was much to cover this season on Last Week Tonight, perhaps the biggest story was John Oliver’s unbridled thirst for Adam Driver. Each episode, the host found a way to incorporate his passionate – and at times, disturbingly violent – obsession with the actor. It was freaky, twisted, and completely rational:
“Step on my throat, Adam Driver, you rudely large man.”
“Break my fingers, you brooding mountain.”
“Sneeze in my McFlurry, you pensive bison.”
“Shatter my knees, you fuckable redwood.”
Same, John. Same.
So, it was only a matter of time for Adam Driver to return the favor, breaking the internet and my ovaries:
John Oliver got Adam Driver to say, “Stan,” “Thirsting,” “Mr. Bean Cosplayer,” and “Under baked gingerbread boy.” 2020, you just redeemed yourself.
Movies Coming Directly to You
Remember the last time you sat in a movie theater? Yeah, neither do I. Actually, the last film I saw in the theaters was Parasite, and it was amazing and a flashing porch light still freaks me the shit out.
While movie theaters across the country have tried to reopen with modifications and safety precautions, no sane minded person wanted to spend $12 on a ticket just to sit in a squared COVID petri dish. Enter streaming to save the day.
Whether it was Emma, Hamilton, or even Mulan, many movie studios realized that pushing back dates to when we can safely sit in a crowded theater for two or more hours was like waiting for Kim Kardashian to finally divorce Kanye West’s ass. In other words, it ain’t happening soon.
And joining the streaming family? This goddess.
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Guys, we have both Bridgerton and Wonder Woman 1984 premiering on Christmas Day. God bless us, everyone.
Except for you, James Bond and Black Widow. You sit in your respective corners and think about what you haven’t done.
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
2020 has been the year of self-reflection, stepping outside our comfort zones, and realizing that if we are to change the society around us, we must first start with ourselves. It forced us to recognize our own biases, prejudices, and racism. It was uncomfortable, alarming, and necessary. And it must continue, even after this year is over and done.
Perhaps one of the most quintessential books that made me do a deep dive in myself was Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist. Dr. Kendi challenges our ideas of racism, exposing the errors of the “not racist” mentality, and inspires us all to work towards true antiracism. By the final page, he empowers all of us and leads you to the conclusion that the work must start with YOU.
On a separate note, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s collaboration with Jason Reynolds, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You needs to be required reading in all high school American history classes.
PBS Saving The Peanuts
There’s just some facts of life that you can never mess with: Dolly Parton is a saint and needs to be recognized as such, pumpkin spice as a drink is just hipster piss, no one looks good in chartreuse, and you never mess with any of The Peanuts holiday specials.
Someone forgot to remind the folks at Apple TV+, who purchased the cartoon franchise’s catalog in the hopes of streaming the well beloved specials to subscribers only.
Armed with support from Viewers Like You, PBS swooped in and saved the day, making a deal with Apple to show “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” for FREE as the Good Lord intended. My hope is that the PBS executive who made the pitch to Apple reenacted this scene:
You Wearing a Mask
At times, it’s uncomfortable, causes “maskne,” and reminds you that you need to lay off the onions at lunchtime. It’s also saving yours and others’ lives.
My final thanks is to you for wearing that mask day in and day out, putting aside comfort for safety and recognizing Dr. Fauci’s orders to wear a mask isn’t a friendly suggestion but a life-saving act. I’m thankful that you realize that by not wearing a mask and foolishly declaring it “goes against your rights,” is nothing more than selfishness and carelessness for the health and well-being of others.
I’m thankful for you, wearing that mask and showing that you love thy neighbor. We definitely need more of YOU in this world.
What are you thankful for this year? (I know, but at least try to come up with one thing.)
