“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” said Joshua J. Marine. A challenge is defined as “a task or situation that tests someone's abilities”. We can overcome any obstacle life throws at us if we are determined and strong. There is a lesson through every challenge when we look for it. During the past year, everywhere you turn there is a new problem. As soon as you go online news articles are saying “Covid-19 Numbers Rising”, “Mask Mandate”, “Black Lives Matter Protest in Minneapolis”, “George Floyd Death”, “Election Numbers Hit Record Amounts”, and so much more. This moment in history is something no one will forget. Covid-19 is a global pandemic that has impacted everyone's daily life, especially those in low-income areas. The world was changed after the death of George Floyd. The Black Lives Matter movement has spread awareness and change to racism everywhere. The young generation is standing out with the recent 2020 presidential election. There were a record number of voters to elect our new president. My “This Moment in History” starter pack consists of the three most significant events of 2020, including Covid-19’s impact on low income communities, the Black Lives Matter protests impact on racism, and young voters' impact on the recent Presidential election. 

In our world today, the biggest topic of discussion is Covid-19. It has changed everything about how we live. Low-income families have been hit the hardest throughout the pandemic. The virus came like a ton of bricks to the face. It caused a lockdown in many countries including the U.S. The virus caused mask mandates, social distancing, store closures, and loss of jobs. Many members of families have struggled to find a new job after they lost theirs. This has caused trouble for some because they can’t afford rent, food, child care, or clothes without a steady income. A great number of people are living paycheck to paycheck. Financial hardships are one of many issues to come from the pandemic. “Roughly 43% of parents living with children report they or a family member has lost a job or work hours due to the pandemic. That includes 62% of Hispanic families, 50% of black families, and 36.5% of white families.” (Jenco 1). Stimulus checks have been sent to families, but it is not enough to cover all the necessary costs. Homelife is much more difficult, especially for children who are virtual learning. The burden should not be put on children and teenagers to help provide for their family along with school and sports. It has also caused more stress and mental insecurities. “The pandemic exacerbated material hardship and psychological distress for low-income families and warned such stress can have long-lasting impacts on children.” (Jenco 1). The effect of the pandemic is different for everyone, but mental insecurities can be strenuous on young people that are missing out on experiences. This topic belongs in a starter pack for this moment in history because it is an issue that has affected millions all over the country. Low-income families are a key point about the global pandemic which changed everyone’s lives.

Furthermore, another great moment that will go down in history is the Black Lives Matter movement. Our eyes were opened and countless perspectives were changed. We have learned to teach others with kindness. Petter Eide has nominated the movement for a Nobel Peace Prize. There have been protests all over the country, according to Larry Buchanan, "More than 40 percent of counties in the United States — at least 1,360 — have had a protest” (Buchanan 1). The protests have reached everyone all over the country. It may be the largest movement in history. It is amazing that it started with one man’s death, and has turned into millions of people coming together to protest racism. Racism is not just a local problem, it is worldwide trouble that has reached other countries with the same issues. Many personal and moving stories have come to the surface since the movement started. Some have come from celebrities, leaders, and everyday people. Eide also said, “In the United States alone, an estimated twenty million people have taken part in Black Lives Matter protests, and millions more have made their voices heard all over the world” (Hauck 1). Millions of people have joined the movements and protests because it is such a major topic that needs to be solved. Some protests have not gone as planned. In Minneapolis, thousands of protesters gathered with emotions to call for justice. Holly Bailey explains "...in nearby St. Paul, protesters' gatherings were accompanied by looting and vandalism. Some protesters tried to stop traffic on a major highway through the Twin Cities and buildings burned" (Bailey 1). This is an example of the drastic measures people have gone to in order to receive justice. Many protesters thought they were doing the right thing even though black-owned businesses were destroyed. Sometimes it takes a dramatic choice to get people's attention, but is this going too far? Many steps have already been made to get racial justice and equality, but much more still needs to be made.

Additionally, the 2020 election has had the most people vote than ever before. There was a tremendous increase in voting numbers, especially young voters. The 2020 election had a push for everyone to get out and vote. 2020 was a crazy year, filled with changes, movements, power, and influences. People want to have a voice in what happens to their world. Everywhere you looked there was an ad, commercial, email, letter, billboard, or post telling you to get out and vote. Many more young people voted because they now have more resources to help them. With the advances in technology, it is easier for young people to know about everything happening in the world. This can encourage more people to vote because they may not like how things are going. A Harvard Correspondent, Clea Simon wrote, “All indications are that young voters, those 18 to 29, will line up for next month’s presidential election in record numbers, further advancing the generational shift of political power taking place in America” (Simon 1). The indication of a generational shift of political power is a giant moment because the outcome of voting changes the future. Covid-19 has played an enormous part in the increase of young voters because it has opened our eyes to the many problems we have in the world and also created new ones. The outcome of the election has satisfied many people because they feel like their voice was heard and mattered. The next generation is the ones that will learn to fill the shoes of the current leaders, scientists, and teachers that have to come up with solutions to problems. This event should be a moment in history because it is the beginning of the next generation. Record numbers have shown the impact young people can make. 

My “This Moment in History” starter pack consists of the three most significant events of 2020, including Covid-19’s impact on low income communities, the Black Lives Matter protests impact on racism, and young voters' impact on the recent Presidential election. Many may argue that these topics should not be included in “This Moment in History” because they remind us about tragic times or they were not important. Some may say that Covid-19 is not even real and we should not have to wear masks. One could argue that all the lives being lost to police shootings do not matter because they broke the law. However, these moments in history need to be remembered because they have helped unite our nation. We have all come together to help stop the spread of Covid. We have all come together to protest and spark change for racial injustice. We have all come together to use our right to vote for the president we believe in. No matter our differences, hard times bring us all together (but not too close because of Covid-19). It helps us remember that we are not different, we are all from the same world trying to live our best lives. The world was changed after George Floyd. The Black Lives Matter movement has spread awareness and change to racism everywhere. Covid-19 is a global pandemic that has impacted everyone's daily life, especially those in low-income areas. Today’s generation is standing out with the recent 2020 presidential election. There were a record number of voters to elect our new president. How big are these current events compared to what has happened in the past? Have these troubled times changed the world for the better? Do hard times make you stronger?  When we look back on these days, will we remember all the bad times or all the good times? Can anything positive come out of these events? Remember to live every day like it is your last because you never know what tomorrow will look like.  We are all here for a reason so why not change the world. Do not wait until tomorrow, how are you going to enjoy life today?

Works Cited

Buchanan, Larry, et al. “Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 3 July 2020, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html. 

Hauck, Grace. “Black Lives Matter Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Carrying Forward 'a Movement of Racial Justice'.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 31 Jan. 2021, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/30/black-lives-matter-nominated-nobel-peace-prize-norwegian-mp/4322546001/. 

Holly Bailey, Jared Goyette. “Chaotic Minneapolis Protests Spread amid Emotional Calls for Justice, Peace.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 29 May 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/29/chaotic-minneapolis-protests-spread-amid-emotional-calls-justice-peace/. 

Jenco, Melissa. “Study: COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbated Hardships for Low-Income, Minority Families.” American Academy of Pediatrics, 10 Feb. 2021, www.aappublications.org/news/2020/06/03/covid19hardships060320#:~:text=Subscribe-,Study%3A%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic%20exacerbated%20hardships,for%20low%2Dincome%2C%20minority%20families&text=Roughly%2043%25%20of%20parents%20living,and%2036.5%25%20of%20white%20families. 

Simon, Clea. “Young Voters May Be Deciding Factor in Presidential Election.” Harvard Gazette, Harvard Gazette, 14 Oct. 2020, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/10/young-voters-may-be-deciding-factor-in-presidential-election/.