2020: The Year of Black Voices
by Ch'ade Delotte-Bennett, Senior, iPreparatory Academy

         
​          The year 2020 was filled with an incredible number of tragedies. But the sense of unity that the black community portrayed in the face of adversity was unparalleled. For decades, the black community has been victims of police violence, systematic inequality/racism, and other social injustices. The inexcusable deaths of black men and women like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor were catalysts for the black community demanding a change. The events of 2020 have allowed members of the black community to be the change they want to see in their nation; this especially applies to black women who have constantly set the bar and played a vital role in influencing modern-day society. Oftentimes, without recognition.

         
          Without a doubt, 2020 has been the year of change and challenging with millions of protesters around the world challenging the status quo, and demanding to see a change in their democracy. These actions were inspired by women, challenging democracy in their own way. Women like Stacey Abrams, affected by racially motivated voter suppression and determined to see the black community’s voices heard, dedicated herself and her work to this cause and as a result, over a span of two years, helped to register, disclosed by Forbes, about 800,000 people to vote in the state of Georgia alone. The impact of Stacey Abrams' hard work can be recognized with the recent democrat victory in Georgia’s US Senate runoff elections.

Credit: John Amis / AP

Credit: Richard Drew / AP Photo

         
         Women like Letitia James, New York's first black Attorney General, who, as reported in Briggs, Jimmie’s Vanity Fair article “Why Letitia James is Taking on Trump the NRA and More,”  has no issue holding people and organizations, like President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association (NRA), accountable for their wrongdoings. In her time spent in office as Attorney General, she has filed numerous lawsuits against the federal government in an attempt to “challenge unlawful attacks on [civil rights].” Previously silenced by tactics like disenfranchisement, black voices are now being heard. 2020 has allowed the community to realize not only the power of voting but also the power of their voice. 

          As a young black woman, all I aspire to do is be heard. I've always expected that my voice would be silenced because my race or my gender speaks volumes. These black women have inspired me. Because as a plan to attend college and study law and become an attorney, I can't help but look at the boldness and bravery they showcase and continue to do so in their profession. I will never let the fear of my future hold me back when women like Letitia James and Stacey Abrams, have so successfully made a change by staring fear in the face and staying grounded in what they believe.

         Additionally, as a teenager, who watched all the incredible black voices actively vocalize their displeasure with American society and all of its deeply rooted discriminatory practices and be listened to, 2020 has also inspired me, and many other teenagers like, to get involved. Social media has been one of the many mediums I use to be included with activist movements. With the pandemic, social media has allowed for many youth-led social justice movements throughout the year of 2020, with hashtags like #NOJUSTICENOPEACE and #BLACKLIVESMATTER. It is apparent, social media has become a major part of activist movements in the country, and will only continue to do so.

​          The year 2020 was monumental for numerous reasons including worldwide pandemic that sent the world into lockdown and the first female African American and Asian Vice President being elected into office. These monumental changes are only the beginning and the voices of young black people will only continue to be elevated. This past year has shown me not only the power of the black women, but also the power of the black voice. Just as they did in 2020 and many years before, the black community, and more specifically women, will continue to use their voices to redefine culture and society. It would become inevitable that American society will finally provide them with the justice they deserve and demand, rather than perpetuate the systematic injustice that is currently so prevalent in the country.

​Works Cited

McGrath, Maggie. “Why Stacey Abrams Is One of the Most Powerful Women in 2020.” Forbes. 8 December 2020.
​          https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2020/12/08/in-standing-for-the-power-of-the-vote-stacey-abrams-is-one-of-the-worlds-            most-powerful-women/?sh=1c3b8fd02757

Briggs, Jimmie. “Why Letitia James is taking on Trump, the NRA, and More.” Vanity Fair. 19 October 2020.
​          https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/10/why-letitia-james-is-taking-on-trump-the-nra-and-more