2020 has been one horribly crazy year, and we are just now coming up on the halfway point. Let that soak in… We are only halfway through 2020, so everyone collectively, please, knock on some wood, quick.

Because you need, but would never ask for, a review, here is most of the crazy awful stuff from 2020 thus far:

• The new year brought huge floods in Indonesia, killing 66 and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

• Early January huge wildfires engulfed southern Australia threatening cities, burning millions of acres, and destroying billions of wild animals.

• Taal volcano in the Philippines erupted on January 12 forcing villagers to flee and also shut down Manila’s international airport, offices, and schools.

• January 2, Trump tries to start a war with Iran by drone striking and killing Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The world held a collective breath while waiting for Iran’s response, which was measured. Although no Americans were killed in Iran’s rocket attack retaliation, over 100 US soldiers received severe brain trauma.

• January 7, announces the arrival of a new coronavirus, Covid 19.

• January 8, a Ukrainian flight crashes in Tehran, Iran, killing all 176 passengers on board, shot down by Iran who say they mistook the plan as a threat.

• January 16, Trump’s impeachment trial begins.

• On the 26th of January, Kobe Bryant’s helicopter goes down, killing all on board.

• Late January, the UK formally withdraws from the European Union.

• February started with issues surrounding quality control in the Democrats Iowa caucus, and Trumps acquittal in the Senate…Trump is riding high and takes a victory lap.

• Violence erupts with communal riots in Delhi when Hindu mobs attacked Muslims. 53 people die in that violence.

• 2/23 Ahmaud Arbery murdered for jogging.

• Earthquakes in Turkey and the Caribbean, 41 dead.

• On March 10, Italy locks down the entire country. The next day, Covid 19 is declared a world wide pandemic. Trump declares a national emergency two days later.

• March 16, the Dow plunges nearly 3,000 points.

• Olympics are rescheduled for the following year.

• Early April sees the worldwide Covid 19 cases break 1,000,000 cases.

• Hundreds of billions of locusts swarmed through parts of East Africa and South Asia in the worst infestation for a quarter of a century, threatening the food supply of tens of millions.

• Murder hornets reported in the U.S. (Actually, we thought this would be a bigger issue).

• March 23, Breonna Taylor is murdered while asleep in her apartment.

• May 25, George Floyd is murdered by police.

• May 27, 100,000 reported Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. and counting…

• June 1, the American president used tear/pepper gas on mostly peaceful American citizen protestors so he could get a photo op with a bible standing in front of church he doesn’t attend.

• 120,000 Covid-19 deaths in the U.S., with estimates as high as 140,000 by July 4.

There are some good things that have happened in 2020. The second person in the world was cured of HIV in the U.K. using stem cell treatments. Australia is no longer on fire. Hero nurses, doctors and medics have helped slow the spread of Covid-19 at great risk to themselves.

I think best of all, we’ve had over three weeks of necessary protests regarding the death of George Floyd and others. The continued support, continued pressure, continued call to action has been incredible. The killing of black folks by police is still happening, but consequences are starting to happen. The time may, finally, be now.

The best sign at a protest I saw: “Black Live Matter is the Minimum”

We can’t stop there.

Black lives not only matter...Black Lives have worth.

Black lives have value.

Black lives are necessary.

Black lives are beautiful.

Speaking out against racism does not make you anti-white, anti-police. This is not a right vs. left, Democrat vs. Republican issue. This is a human rights, human dignity issue. Remember, recognizing that Black Lives Matter is not a controversial statement. Embrace the change and demand better. Join a march. Stand with your neighbors. Thank a nurse. Be safe. Be open. What lies beyond…well, it’s on us.