What a year. This year has had its ups and downs. Personally and through the nation, 2018 has been a gut punch. Lets take a look back.

The Good

Personally: I bought a bike. I quit a terrible job for the better one. I updated my WordPress plan from free to personal. I wrote in my journal more. I read more books, even though I did not meet my Goodreads challenge goal.

The Nation: New TV series such as Pose and On My Block premiered to critical acclaim. Black Panther swept the box office. Yanny vs Laurel had everyone in a tizzy (I heard Yanny). Beyonce headlined Cochella.

The Bad

Personally: A close family member was diagnosed with an illness.

The Nation: Parkland High school shooting. Philadelphia synagogue shooting. Aretha Franklin died. Half of the White House administration quit or got arrested. Migrant children were contained in jails/concentration camps along the border. Troops were deployed to the border. A supporter of the Orange ass hat sent package bombs to prominent officials including the Obama and Clinton families. Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court.

The WTF?!

1. Larry Nassar & the USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal. Following the mass sweep up of sexual predators from Hollywood last year, it was revealed early this year that Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics team doctor, had been sexually abusing gymnasts. Not only this, but it was also found out that Nassar had sexual assault allegations against him from when he worked at Michigan State. Nassar was sentenced to 325 years in prison.
2. Anthony Bourdain died. This shocked me. Even though I was not an adherent fan of his show, I watched some episodes and he seemed like a cool guy.
3. The Orange ass-hat is still in office. Why hasn’t this fool been impeached yet?!
4. The University of Maryland was responsible for the death of Jordan McNair. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the head coach and staff of the football program had been engaging in physical & emotional abuse against players, including against McNair. Initially the university decided not to fire the head coach or athletic director, but protest from the students and alumni pushed the school to reverse that decision. I feel that McNair’s family should also file a civil suit (wrongful death) against the university.
5. White people calling the police on Black people for everything. From BBQ Becky to Cornerstore Caroline, white people( white women in particular) were caught read handed calling the cops on Black people for almost anything. Although the nicknames are funny, the situations are very serious. Black people know that any interaction with police can lead to our death. So calling the cops on us for buying a snack, having a BBQ, or waiting for a friend is dangerous and uncalled for. We deserve to exist in the same spaces as the white majority without having to fear for our lives.
6. Demi Lovato had a suspected drug overdose. Thankfully she did not die. I have been a fan of her since her days on the Disney Channel and I was shocked and saddened to hear this news. Demi had been sober for 6 years prior to this incident. Demi has since completed rehab and released a statement thanking fans for their continued support.
7. Bill Cosby was convicted of sexual assault. Bill admitted in court that he drugged and assaulted numerous women throughout his career. Who we once new as Cliff Huxtable, a loving father and successful doctor, we now know as a sexual predator. The Cosby Show was subsequently pulled out of syndication on TV throughout the U.S.

Well that was my look back at 2018. We lost some good people this year. There were more mass shootings. The Orange ass-hat is still in office. Sexual assault allegations and convictions made national headlines. But we are still here. Let us raise a glass to the new year. See you all in 2019.