Finally, collapsing on my bed after an exhausting Christmas Day eating, reading and watching films, I picked up my phone to check for messages when the news report flashed up: George Michael’s death. I really underestimated the power of this god-awful year.
2016. Otherwise known as ‘the year we want to forget’. It truly feels like the world’s gone mad. The bad are rising and the good are falling. In just the first month David Bowie, Alan Rickman and Sir Terry Wogan died – all of who inspired so many, both young and old. Coupled with the extraordinary political events of this year, even by June everyone seems to have wanted to go to sleep and hibernate until 2017.
It’s not how many have died this year but who. The celebrities we’ve lost have been icons of both the arts and activism – it’s this that has shocked us the most. In a year where we seem to have needed it more than ever, it is hard to see so many who advocated equality, tolerance and kindness disappear from the public eye forever other than in memory.
Devastatingly, this year we lost civil rights activist, Muhammad Ali, who famously changed his name from his ‘slave’ name and spoke out against racism throughout his life, particularly islamaphobia after the 9/11 attacks. Bowie was another heart-breaking death, not only for music lovers but also for those who long for more equality in the world. He was an icon for openly discussing sexuality, including his extensive work with HIV/AIDS charities, and challenging gender norms.
It’s not just losing those who inspired kindness that got 2016 its reputation. The world seems to have turned on its head. The middle ground is disappearing at an alarming rate, replaced with people dealing in extremes: black and white, right and wrong, good and evil.
Let’s start with a big ‘un: Isis. Quite rightly just the thought of Isis scares people, naturally breeding irrationality and fear, resulting in the islamaphobia that's seemingly plaguing the Western World. Unfortunately, this ‘us’ and ‘them’ crisis has led to a reluctance to help others. All you need to do is look at the horrific treatment of refugees, people fleeing war-torn countries, to prove this.
This xenophobic attitude has led to some startling decisions, made only more worrying by ordinary people voting for them. Political divisions are now running through countries and across generations. Take Brexit as an example: the difference between the majority ‘in’ vote of young people and the majority ‘out’ vote ofthe old is both staggering and distressing, and has led to a lot of harmful and pointless finger pointing. Brexit has divided the country.
Similarly in the US, there was the fairly terrifying appointment of Trump. People are scared so support Trump, leading to fear of Trump’s popularity. It’s a downward cycle of division and intolerance. Of increasing hate crimes both in the UK and the US. Of incidents such as Jo Cox’s murder.
It’s not all bad though, I promise. Yes, there’s an incredible rise of hatred and intolerance, but London elected their first Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan – that’s something, right? And for the first time since 1054, the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Church leaders met. A snippet of religious tolerance! And let’s face it; if the Columbian Congress can finally strike a deal with FARC after fighting since 1964, we can work our way through anything.
It’s been a tough year. And I know it’s not all going to get magically better because a number is different but the New Year is a chance to reflect and work towards positive change. Take inspiration from the generosity of George Michael, the resilience of Muhammad Ali and the creativity of comic geniuses like Ronnie Corbett. Be more generous, stand up for the inequalities in the world and make a few more people laugh. Nothing gets better on its own, but we can make 2017 a better place than 2016.
And hey, if that’s not enough to raise your spirits, just remember: Leicester City somehow won the premier league at 5000/1 odds.
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