The year 2020 has radicalized many people in the US. Here’s why.
The year 2020 is sorely lacking in its 20/20 vision. With disasters around the world, racial justice and police brutality protests, all topped off with a coronavirus pandemic, the year seems to just keep getting worse for some people.
In the US, the year is especially critical due to escalating protests, political tensions, and of course the upcoming election in November. Many people are now realizing the importance of being socially conscious, and for some, it’s even awakened a passionate social and political streak in them.
In one case, a recent Twitter thread from the user @historyofarmani has garnered over 10,000 retweets and an immense amount of replies. While some answers are prompt and concise, others tell emotional stories of heartbreak.
All of this to answer one question:
https://twitter.com/historyofarmani/status/1290484329580130306?s=20
Many of these tweets allude to racial injustice and police brutality in the US…
My son’s Mexican side of the family expressing how much they hate black people. My son is half black. https://t.co/qZiFzZeSnq
— Melly (@0hmels) August 6, 2020
Oddly enough…. being a cop and seeing the way cops act and how they get away with murder is trained. https://t.co/FL5L9SLisz
— ⚜️ (@RobbBeaux) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/ohhhstina/status/1291248414638866432
https://twitter.com/brandleminaj/status/1290876452389486593?s=20
Others point out the flaws in health insurance and the healthcare system…
My mom being diagnosed with brain cancer and eventually dying from it all while working 2 jobs to support/being her primary caretaker while being told healthcare isn’t a human right 🙂 https://t.co/rnXlHkijK7
— a christmas w🎅🏻🎅🏻mf (@laxmura) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/SteveHuff/status/1291225319253454850?s=20
https://twitter.com/pattywhoa14/status/1291218275897167872?s=20
When my disabled step dad got his entire hippocampus removed in order to get his driver’s license so he could work.
Got his drivers license. Got a state job driving. The fed government sent a letter saying they were taking it back, so he got fired for not being able to drive. https://t.co/ar5OWnhyI3
— Kaleigh Herter (@kaleighherter) August 6, 2020
Some comment on workplace environments and the economy…
https://twitter.com/ekcummings23/status/1291234434348396545?s=20
When my mom told me her boss would secretly put aside the leftover food (the throw-away food) so that he could sneak in after close and bag it up and anonymously donate it to the local soup kitchen so he wouldn’t get in trouble https://t.co/uso0R4MSyt
— definitely the droid you’re looking for (@sadpuppygf) August 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/magg_sull/status/1291222087269523458
My dad crying in the kitchen when he received the bill for the heart attack he had. I was only 14. https://t.co/IYqibBBjKR
— kae (@kaleigh_ad) August 6, 2020
And a few showcase their political opinions…
it started with taking environmental science 😌🍃 and continued after realizing my parents fed me conservative/nationalistic propaganda my whole life https://t.co/0m0SuqFLMs
— みく✨ (@seokjinsjigu) August 6, 2020
No matter what you’re political stance is – left or right, radical or otherwise, the multitude of replies points out many social and political issues in this country. While the US has its massive benefits, it is not a perfect nation. Nowhere in the world is.
While some people may believe it is an act of hatred to criticize one’s home country, it is arguably the complete opposite. There is a key difference between spewing pure hatred and providing constructive criticism on your own country.
Taking the time to critique the shortcomings of a nation isn’t necessarily a sign of hate. On the contrary, it’s arguably a sign that you truly love your country, because you know it can do better.
2020 may not have the 20/20 vision people were hoping for, but tearing each other apart over social and political opinions isn’t going to help. If anything, people now more than ever need to come together, learn to listen, and above all, compromise.