Savannah’s new slate of elected officials were all smiles at their inauguration ceremony on Jan. 2, 2020.
Almost one year later, that same group couldn’t all get together for a Christmas card photo at Savannah City Hall.
Hopes were high for what could be accomplished by this new group. The council had seven new members, five of whom defeated incumbents for their seats. The new council had managed a historic first with the election of seven African Americans, including five Black women. The group, along with the new mayor, was committed to progressive change in the city, voicing a people-centered agenda in contrast to the business-first approach of the previous council.
The answer this New Year’s Eve, with no hesitation, is “heck yes.”
The year 2020 was among the most challenging of our lifetimes. In the time it takes the Earth to make one lap around the sun, we experienced a pandemic, an economic crisis, extraordinary civil unrest and the most polarizing election in generations.
For years to come, we’ll look back on 2020 and say “that’s the year our world changed,” much like we do with 2001 (terrorism hits home), 1989 (the fall of communism) and 1965 (civil rights legislation). With time comes perspective, and we might even find ourselves thinking better of 2020, particularly as it relates to race relations, health and wellness and community bonding.