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Caribbean Life, Dec.8 31,2021-Jan. 6, 2022
‘Twas The Year That
Was – Good and Bad
By Vinette K. Pryce
As it is with every year, 2021 had its
ups and downs.
Sadly, the day after Christians celebrated
Christmas, news of the passing
of South African reconciliation negotiator
Bishop Desmond Tutu jolted
spirited activities of the season.
Diasporans from the English speaking
Caribbean celebrate Boxing Day
with extended fervor of holiday revelry
however, the British tradition has its
origins with a custom of feeding the
poor.
Bishop Tutu dedicated his life to
advocating for the poor.
The day is also significant in the
Black community and has been since
1966 when Dr. Maulanga Karenga
introduced Kwanzaa and seven principles
he named the Nguzo Saba.
The California-based cultural activist
offered a week’s worth of holistic,
cultural practices that he envisioned
would enhance the lives of African-
Americans.
Bishop Tutu died on the first day
of Kwanza, when the first principle of
Umoja should exercise unity.
Deaths seem to resonate heavily at
the beginning and end of each year.
Six days into the new year, an insurrection
at the Capitol tested the vulnerability
of the nation’s security.
When a shot rang out killing one of
the insurrectionist, the year started
with a bang. Played out in real time
on television, the bad and evil stared
realization of the fragility of the system
and also signaled to some prediction
of the future.
Later that same month a transition
of government provided hope to some
but change for all.
At the end of the month news of
the passing of actress Cicely Tyson
started the inevitable roll call of death
notes for the year. The celebrated,
age-defying actress died last January
at age 96.
Throughout the 12 months, tears
welled for many more departed souls.
Still, 2021 and any other year should
not be defined by deaths, there were
plenty happy moments to recall: particularly
those related to women.
Kamala Harris blazed the highest
trail for the gender when she accepted
the oath of the vice presidential office
of the United States.
Jamaica-born Sandra Lindsay was
invited to the presidential inauguration
celebration one month after making
history for taking the first vaccine
to thwart COVID-19.
The Olympics shone a spotlight
on a myriad of conquerors representing
countries throughout the world.
Among the stars, Japanese/Haitian
tennis champion Naomi Osaka, Allyson
Felix of the USA, gymnast Simone
Byles and track stars from Africa.
Jamaica’s indomitable rule prevailed
in 2021 in the 100 metres sprint race.
A triumvirate from the island ran
away with gold, silver and bronze and
have not stopped running and winning
since.
More good news came in September
with vaccine boosters that allegedly
lessened hospitalization and deaths
from the coronavirus.
Sandra Mason made history in her
homeland Barbados when she was
elected the first president of the island/
nation.
With her election, the island established
a reputation for being a beacon
in the Caribbean. Last month Barbados
became a Republic.
Their Prime Minister Mia Amor
Mottley also claimed a huge chunk of
the region’s glow by shining a light on
the plight of the climate.
In Scotland, she did not mince words
scolding leaders of developed nations
who she accused of talking loud and
saying nothing tangible about the
declining global phenomenon. Mottley’s
revelation at the United Nations
also exposed hypocritical platitudes
from some of the same leaders from
developed countries who have hoarded
vaccines against covid-19 etc.
Five women were deputized by the
city’s elected Black mayor. Voted the
110th city leader, Eric Adams made
an unprecedented decision naming
Keechant Sewell the first female NYPD
commissioner.
Justice seem to regularly elude the
Black population but it was cause célèbre
for two families who heard guilty
verdicts rendered after jurors convicted
white shooters of killing Black
men. The conviction of a veteran Minnesota
cop who bawled remorse during
her trial sent shock-waves through
the populous convinced she might be
acquitted for mistakenly firing a deadly
bullet into Daunte Wright.
Her defense was that in her professional
capacity as peace officer, she
reached for a tazer, not the weapon.
And hope sprung after a jury convicted
three Georgia racists who chased
and killed Ahmaud Arbery whose only
crime was being a Black jogger.
On a lighter note, some empathized
with the romantic reunion of actor Ben
Afleck and singer/actress Jeniffer Lopez.
The Hollywood couple seemed to dominate
social and news media throughout
the year, replacing Britain’s Prince
Harry and his American bride Megan
on ‘breaking news’ features.
The blanket of snow that fell on
Christmas Eve seemed to cast a calming
spread of peace through the dawn
of the celebratory day.
‘Twas the night before Christmas in
the year that was.
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