Day 251: Some More Thoughts on the Quarantine and the Positive Outcomes of a Negative Time

These past few months have been a trying time for everyone for different reasons. I was one of the lucky ones that still got to work from home. This has definitely sucked. Many people have died that would have most likely still been alive today. The virus hurt the world in a way that we have not seen in our lifetime. But as an optimist, I have to say that there has emerged a crapload of positivity. The amount of people that stepped up to work, to help the world, help people in need is astounding. We are all in debt to the essential workers that continue to show up to stock the shelves for us every day. We are in debt to the medical workers and doctors that were able to save lives from the virus. And to all those that risked their lives to work so that our way of life could stay semi-normal, I thank you.

On top of Some Good News and all the other heartwarming stories and videos we have witnessed, I don’t think there is anything more profound than the peaceful protests that happened all around the world and those that continue to march today. Whether or not this virus was around, I think people would have been marching for George Floyd. But the quarantine has allowed an astounding amount of people to march that would have otherwise been obligated to work. It allowed for their voices and their feet to be heard. It has caused radical change from defunding the police to famous syrup companies changing their name, not to mention the officer responsible for George Floyd's is being charged with murder. Having that amount of people marching showed the politicians, corporations, and the world that the people have the real power if we want to take it.

That power is something we should all remember. The masses of people have the real power to make change. The politicians that listen are the ones that will make change. For the ones that don’t listen, we know who to vote out next time around. I think we have experienced the beginning of a radical change in this country: in our government, our companies, and, most importantly, our people. We have seen that our opinion and passions matter. We have seen the effects of our shouting voices. Our wants and needs matter. Our votes matter.

I hope this momentum doesn’t just carry us through November. We need to change a lot more in this country than the president. And that is a general statement of all presidents. One man or woman doesn’t change this world; the people change this world. A leader helps a movement, but they are not the movement. Change is caused by millions of voices finally speaking up. Change is caused by action. Despite our three months of inaction because of the quarantine, we came out of those doors with a strong mission in mind. The injustices of this country have to change and the culprits must be held accountable. The people will be heard.