The year of 2016 will go down in history as a disaster. The world was plagued with the Zika virus outbreak, ISIS terrorized the world, and we killed each other through suicide bombings, mass shootings, and war. We faced earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires. We endured an emotionally tolling election that shocked not only the United States, but the entire world. We lost musicians, actors, actresses, authors, political heroes, astronauts, and athletes. We grieved the lost of American heroes who we looked up to as little kids and as adults, who shaped American culture and changed our outlook on our country.
It would be silly to dismiss these tragedies. In fact, I would argue it would be extremely unhealthy to pretend they never happened. But I will also argue that along with the losses, 2016 experienced a lot of gains, as well.
On March 21, 2016, the International Criminal Court found former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. For the first time in history, the International Criminal Court convicted someone of sexual violence, making a huge stance that it will not be tolerated. It also makes it clear that military and political leaders will be held accountable for these heinous crimes committed.
We experienced innovation like no other year up to date. Technology has never been so advanced. Just look at what you are reading on! Cars can drive themselves, humans can fly, and phones can talk. After two decades of work, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest and deepest tunnel, opened through the Alps in Switzerland. Nasa's spacecraft, Juno, entered orbit around Jupiter to survey the planet for 20 months.
The United States and China signed the world's first comprehensive climate agreement, the Paris Agreement, in 2016. This plan is a historical turning point when it comes to fighting climate change. In 2016, our country, along with many more, decided to put effort into bettering our planet.
The United States experienced the third reconstruction of our society. The Black Lives Matter movement destroyed the ability for people to ignore the struggles that black people, and all minorities, face. This movement challenged the idea of a post racial society after the election of President Obama. Of course, it actually began in 2012 but it played such a large part in American society in 2016. Their message was heard loud and clear, "#BlackLivesMatter is a call to action and a response to the virulent anti-Black racism that permeates our society."
Of course, the event that unites the world, The Olympics, occurred in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. It is quite amazing that the world can gather together and celebrate athletics, no matter any differences in policies, religions, opinions, races, genders, and sexualities. No other event on earth demonstrates human's abilities to respect each other, regardless of differences. This is truly amazing when you think of all of the conflicts that have occurred in the world; we choose peace, which proves there is hope for a peaceful future.
That is my hope for 2017. I hope that the tragedies we faced in 2016 will encourage us to work hard and stay determined to better our world through judicial justices, innovation, environmentalism, social justice, and uniting together to create peace. As we step into 2017 and reflect on the past year, remember all of the positive monumental moments that we should celebrate.
Do not walk into 2017 bitter of the past. Let it inspire you and motivate you to create change to better our world, today and tomorrow.
