By Editorial Board
-Editorial-
There seems to be a common mantra going around on social media these days, which usually goes along the lines of, “2020 will go down as the worst year ever,” or “I wish I was born in another time period.”
People's grievances aren't without good reason. Within the span of only six months, we’ve experienced a worldwide pandemic, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths, social distancing and quarantining at home, racial injustices, riots and political unrest. And that’s just scratching the surface.
There’s no doubt that this year has brought its fair share of challenges and changes. But stating it’s the worst year ever is a little overkill.
If you look back in history, you’ll find humans have endured much more harrowing times.
Within just the last century, we’ve had medical, technological and social advances that civilization didn’t acquire for thousands of years.
People have endured mass pandemic deaths (tens of millions of people dead), brutal wars far beyond what we can imagine, radical oppression, famines and extreme environmental conditions. There’s one year in human history known as, “the worst time in history to be alive.” This was long before modern human civilizations were established in 536 A.D. For 18 months, most of the world went dark causing mass death as famine and disease plagued the world.
Can you honestly say that you would prefer to live during that time? What about in 1347 during the black death? Over 200 million died within the span of four years. In fact, that plague is what spurred humans to create what is currently known as “quarantining”.
Let’s be honest, no one would prefer to live during any of those times. Again, this isn’t to belittle those who have seen the short end of the stick this year.
Your hardships are just as valid as those who suffered in 1347 and 536. However, it’s good to eat a slice of humble pie every so often and remember how much better we have it compared to the past thousand years or so.
The times are currently changing and with every change comes at least a little adversity. It’s almost par for the course.
But we will get through it and, fingers crossed, come out much better on the other side.