Beauty And Truth: The 2016 You Might Have Forgotten About

A week ago we embraced a new calendar year, and the world is grabbing their life preservers, and jumping from the last one. But before we climb aboard, "Freedom! 17," let's sift through the rubble of 2016 and delve into the greatest of what last year had to offer. 

Last week, PBS published an online article entitled,"13 Undeniably Good Things That Happened in 2016," all of which detail the best and brightest of events to deter us from viewing the past year as entirely dreadful. Among these things? The eradication of measles in the Americas after twenty years of vaccination attempts, teen pregnancy rates reach an all-time low and high school graduation rates increase, not to mention 121 medals the United States brought home, 46 of them being gold. They went on to list things such as the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, but being a Cleveland native I brushed this information off with no regrets. 

Another plus, we have made it, ladies and gentlemen. Amidst the chaos and our phones exploding and the Zika Virus, you and I have found a way to live on. Jabri Johnson, a Junior at Bowling Green University says, "It [was] a struggle [2016], but there have been very good things that have happened in our lives." Says Johnson, "I know I've made a lot of growth this year that I'm very proud of." If anything, we can look to 2017 as way to move forward, seeing our gift in the problem. 

Looking back at 2016, the best thing to happen is you. Your personal growth and personal experience. As General Organas amidst an entire Empire of pessimism, lead your Rebellion. Remember Carrie Fisher and remember Leia Organa: changed by loss but not destroyed. Happy New Year to you, and "May we all be able to get up every day and, in spite of loss and fear, put on our boots and vest and plan to destory the empire." 

Antonio DeJesus

Theatre Student at Kent State University 

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Volume 13, Issue 1, Posted 8:12 PM, 01.10.2017