It goes without saying that I am very glad to see the end of 2016. The year was full of slimy politicians, slimy wannabe politicians, racism, sexism and the prevalent problem of climate change. But rather than hating 2016 as a whole, I’d like to take the time to point out some very good things that the year graced us with.
1. Giant pandas are no longer endangered.
This year, there was an increase in the amount of giant pandas born in China, raising the wild population to 2,060. The tiger and manatee population is also increasing.
2. It was discovered that coffee lowers the risk of suicide, Alzheimer’s, cancer and depression.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar.
We may have lost Jack Dawson to the freezing waters, but Leo’s role in "The Revenant" won the actor his first Academy Award.
4. Hillary Clinton.
We are all aware of the results of the 2016 presidential election. But let it be known, that Clinton was the first female candidate of the Democratic party, and she has inspired girls all around the world to never shrink themselves for the approval of a man.
5. Dave Chappelle came back into our miserable lives.
The comedian hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, and will have three Netflix specials during 2017.
6. There is now a Bill of Rights for survivors of sexual assault.
President Barack Obamba signed a bill that gave survivors access to their rape kits, doesn’t force the expenses of a rape kit onto the survivor and notifies the victim when their rape kit is about to be disposed.
7. Netflix added offline downloads.
8. The 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
9. Bob Dylan completely blew off the Nobel Prize Committee.
Bob Dylan won a Nobel Prize, and although the committee tried throughout the year to invite him to receive the award in December, he did not attend the dinner and ceremony.
10. McDonald’s now serves all day breakfast.
Hashbrowns and hotcakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
