This is the time of year when people start to think about their resolutions for the new year. Before we can fully look forward, though, we should take stock of how we showed up in 2020. It’s time for some year-end reflection.
Our society has never faced a year like this last one. With Covid-19, the election, and the racial justice conversation at the forefront, 2020 demanded that we consider our impact upon others in ways we might not have considered before, and it starkly revealed the divisions between us. We were confronted with our own interconnectedness, the ripple effect of our actions–and the results of our inaction. Here’s where we’re at as we reflect on 2020 and move into the new year.
Hannah:
2020 was a rollercoaster and a great awakening for so many. I think we all had to consider what our real values were and be honest about whether we were actually living them. We started Kinswomen in 2019 and then, in June 2020, there was a crush of sudden, frantic interest in our anti-racism work. This was frustrating because it was like, these issues have always been here–where were you before?
But there was also hope that people were awake in ways that they hadn’t been before. Where we’re at now, six months after the George Floyd video that inspired so much action, it’s disappointing that most people aren’t as engaged anymore. Their commitments and sense of urgency have gone to the wayside, and the stakes feel way too high for that level of complacency. But I’m also so proud of the community of people who have stuck around and committed to doing the work. Our students, our listeners, our friends: They bring me hope and gratitude that is hard to put into words.
As I reflect back on my allyship journey this year, it’s been life-changing. I left my corporate job in January 2020 to work on Kinswomen full-time. I am so grateful to do this work and do it with my amazing partner, Yseult. We have created an incredible community of women who have taught me so much, and who’ve consistently shown up for hard conversations. Showing up is 75% of it.
With the election and the conversation around racism being so emotional and divisive, I’ve had hard conversations with friends and acquaintances who I’ve realized aren’t on the same journey as I am, and I’ve had to accept where they’re at. I avoided some conversations because of my own discomfort, and I want to commit to being more vocal and transparent in 2021.
Being a white woman doing anti-racism work has brought up my ego, my fragility, my short-comings, my imposter syndrome—and I’m learning to deal with all of those elements so I can be the best ally possible.
Yseult:
This year felt like three tornadoes collided, then invited a volcano into the absolute mess that 2020 was. Reflecting on what I would like to see or experience in 2021 is like expecting to get better without doing the work to heal. In other words, jumping the gun.
2020 needs to be digested. As a Black woman, I titled this year “Different Shades of Triggers and Disasters.” It was absolutely mad in so many aspects, but I feel so grateful. I haven’t lost anyone in my family or friend group, and I am well physically and mentally. Covid showed me how strong I am. The storm in which Kinswomen grew was also an interesting one, a great story to tell.
Before white folks and allies to BIPOC speak on what they want to do for 2021, they should take time for year-end reflection. They should reflect on both what they’ve done and what they still don’t understand. Sitting in these realities before jumping in 2021 with promises and wishes is the most genuine thing to do.
We all can agree that New Year’s resolutions are just a way to feel unburdened and good about what we didn’t do in the previous year without being held accountable. Likely you don’t start working out, won’t really go vegan, and at present, we definitely cannot travel more. I think it’s best to sit in our mess and reflect on what we did or didn’t do. We need to process the whole pandemic, and also be honest with the state of the nation. Though there have been wins politically, we cannot be content. We are still playing catch up.
I want to send my sympathy to those that suffered in the last year, and my heart goes to those that didn’t have a full table for the holidays.
We’d like to ask our community to reflect upon what worked this year–and what can be improved upon in terms of your activism:
- How did this year change you?
- What are some beliefs that shifted for you this year?
- In which ways can you continue to use your privilege, resources, and community to impact change in 2021?
- It’s been so wonderful to share our writing with the Lulus community this year. Thank you for engaging in year-end reflection with us.
For more information on the Kinswomen, visit us on Instagram @the.kinswomen, and join us at www.kinswomenpodcast.com.
Tell us your year-end reflection thoughts in the comments!
Images via @the.kinswomen
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