So this is it, the last day of 2017. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, some highs, some lows and some down right craziness. We’ve seen lots of outrage across the world for a multitude of reasons, but from that outrage we’ve also seen strong movements and rebellions. Across 2017 we have also borne witness to changing attitudes, traditions and the fledgling of new love in the headlines.
We have seen the rise of a President that has been an ongoing story of misleading claims, deflections and falsehoods (can you tell I’m not a fan?) leading to fact-checking websites in the US probably having the most traffic they’ve had in years. The fall of a President (Dictator) after 37 years of tyranny saw rejoicing in the streets of Zimbabwe but is the replacement any better? Emmerson “Crocodile” Mnangagwa doesn’t strike me as too different from his “mentor” Mugabe but I guess the world will have to wait and see. And then there’s Putin. People love him, people hate him. Propaganda and Russia are just two words that don’t seem to be too far apart, do they? I will leave this delightful picture here for your perusal.
A-Ha, yeah this is actually a thing.
Then Australia had it’s own political story for 2017. Seems if you don’t know your citizenship status due to heritage, birth or marriage (hello? how do people not know?) you could be looking at a time out! But a time out doesn’t spell the end, if they are willing to give up their dual citizenship and are re-elected by the constituents, of course they can have another go. Oh, the drama! This year was momentous though. After years of debate, a very expensive survey and lengthy campaign, Australian politicians finally passed the new marriage bill giving the LBGTQ+ community equal rights to marriage in our country. If you haven’t seen the footage of the bill being passed, I suggest you watch it here. The applause once the bill passes is great, but if you watch the video in the link past the 4-minute mark you will hear the public gallery erupt in song. A song that I think represents the true Australia, or at least the Australia I want to belong to. I was in my car, waiting to pick the kids up from childcare, when the live stream via Facebook started. I found it so moving I just had to keep watching. I truly believe we have got this right.
We have had marches and hashtags aplenty 2017. Unless you have been living under a rock, you may recognise these.
#metoo One of the most prominent hashtags of 2017 inspired a global movement of men and women to share their stories of sexual abuse and harassment. So many women I know ( yes, I am one of them) have shared their experiences of sexual harassment or abuse. I truly think the floodgates have only just opened and we will hear more about this and hear many names brought up in the not too distant future.
#takeaknee Yes, this is American but the message behind it could easily translate to any country today. Racism is alive and well and to deny it is to put our head in the sand.
#Covfefe Is this a word? Well yeah it is, if you’re the President of the USA. He started a tweet and then went to bed apparently half way through typing. Two hours later Trump’s covfefe tweet had been retweeted 70,000 times as social media users joked and speculated on what the word could mean. Six hours later the tweet had been deleted and replaced by another one in which Trump appeared to fuel the mystery surrounding the word’s meaning. When former White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked by journalists what the tweet meant his reply provoked further incredulity, as he said: “The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant.” Within 24 hours #covfefe had been used 1.4 million times. Stupid.
#neverthelesssheperisted The expression and hashtag became popular after the United States Senate voted to silence Senator Elizabeth Warren’s objections to confirmation of Senator Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell uttered this sentence during comments following the vote in an effort to defend the Senate’s actions and blame Warren. The expression then went viral as feminists posted it with hashtag references to other women. Conservative critics objected that comparisons between Warren and other female political activists were inappropriate. Its meaning expanded to refer to women’s persistence in breaking barriers, despite being silenced or ignored.
#loveislove used by many to back up their argument for SSM, it has been hijacked and then reclaimed by each side of the argument.
Away from the hashtags, there were plenty of Royal announcements this year from the British Monarchy. The announcement of another royal baby (Congratulations Wills and Kate!) was upstaged by a royal romance we could either fawn over of pick apart, as the people of the world will do. Prince Harry, lovable cad that he is, started dating and then made very clear his intentions, the lovely Ms Meghan Markel. A woman of mixed race, older than Harry by 3 years, a divorcee and an American is set to be newest member of the British Royal family in the coming year. To that I say, congratulations you crazy lovebirds! They both seem like lovely people who use their privileged position to do some good in the world, which can never be a bad thing! Little George started school this year too, can’t forget him!
Malala Yousafzai started college at Oxford this year. Five years after she was shot in the head by the Taliban for attempting to go to school in her native Pakistan, Yousafzai began classes at the University of Oxford—at Lady Margaret Hall, the same college once attended by Benazir Bhutto, who became the first female prime minister of Pakistan. That is huge! The strength and tenacity of the human spirit never fails to amaze me!
These major events aren’t even scratching the surface when it comes to the happenings of 2017, it was a big year.
On a personal level, 2017 has been a year of change, growth, acceptance and joy for my family. I started and ended a relationship, that in truth I wasn’t really ready for. Master E started and completed his first step of schooling while attending a fantastic kindergarten, my smart, loyal, thoughtful and ever questioning boy. Miss E challenged and enamoured all those she came into contact with this year, my strong willed, curious, funny, beautiful girl. My parents became retirees, readjusting and embracing their new status and position while trying on their “grey-nomad” mantle. My sister continued on her journey, traveling, questioning, finding her centre but always being there when I need her. I strengthened old friendships, not always able to help but be an infallible listener and giver of advise when asked. I met up with old friends, laughed and reminisced while not sidestepping hurts and indiscretions. I made new friends at Kindy drop-offs, went for walks along the esplanade of the South Adelaide beaches and had coffee while the kids played happily.
Every year has it’s ups and downs. Sometimes life throws us curve balls. Looking back, I’m feeling pretty lucky and want to thank all the positive people I have in my life right now for making 2017 the year that is was. I hope 2018 brings all my friends and family the happiness and joy they so richly deserve. Love to you and yours xxx
Comments