A Belated Run Down on the Year that was Twenty Sixteen
Originally posted on RY.
At the conclusion of the Cold War, Francis Fukuyama put forward the notion that we were witnessing the end of history. At which point he described it as, "the end point of mankind's ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government”. At the end of 2016, I think we have adequate evidence to dispute Fukuyama’s notion.
The Oxford Dictionary word of 2016 is post-truth, being defined as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief”. In this sense, the word of the year perfectly describes the global political sphere of 2016. A clear re-emergence of anti-establishment political parties evident. Political leaders like Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen and Pauline Hanson using the resonating fears of the public to gain support. The face of journalism changing as social media begins to overpower the mainstream media with inaccurate information that people are more often than not, persuaded to believe.
A lot has happened in 2016, a lot of things that most of us in “the West” should be ashamed to admit. But why is this? I’d recommend that it is because of Fukuyama’s description of “the universalization of Western liberal democracy”; the expectation on “the West” to keep the rest of the world in check whilst also spreading democratic values abroad. Ironically, it feels like “the West” also needed to be kept in check.
In 2016 racial and gender politics took centre stage in “the West”. Here in Australia, we continued to prohibit our LGBTQ+ community equality to marry those they love. We have politicians that treat the traditional owners of the land as if they were garbage, speaking for them instead of letting them speak for themselves. Europeans are closing their doors to people seeking refuge because they’re fearful of terrorists; leaving many innocent families and individuals without a chance of a better life. Which by the way Europe, would be beneficial to both you and them; your population is declining and you need more people to keep your economy stimulated. Oh and let’s not even start on the United States of America because we’ll be here all day. But just a quick tip heading in to 2017, STOP SHOOTING PEOPLE!
It’s been a bad year, but good things have come out of it. For one thing, I’m proud to be a millennial. I regret the fact that we are portrayed as “selfish, stupid and unambitious, when in fact we are the most educated and socially aware generation in history”. But aside from that, I appreciate the messages of love and hope we have provided one another with, throughout the struggles faced in 2016. I’m thankful for the millennials that do not determine a person’s worth by their race or gender. For the millennials that are raising their children to appreciate all races, whether they be a boy or a girl, whether they like blue or pink. I’m thankful for the millennials that accept and want to help fix climate change. For the millennials that don’t litter and buy recyclable goods. I’m thankful that instead of picking up a weapon, most of us pick up a book, camera, or passport. I’m thankful for the ones that want to learn from others, their culture, and their history. Don’t get me wrong, not all of us are great human beings. Some struggle to understand the fact that we all deserve the right to be equal. But from what I’ve seen this year, I’m proud that most of us are standing up against the bastards within our societies [disclaimer: the word bastard was not meant to offend or upset anyone who isn’t a bastard].
Francis Fukuyama may have been wrong about “mankind’s ideological evolution” but maybe there’s still hope for a better future. Although “we must… brace ourselves for a long struggle, perhaps even a generational struggle”, we can remain optimistic that good will conquer evil, and that love will trump hate, and we can possibly even hope, that Bernie Sanders has more time on his ticket, to run for the next U.S election. But regardless of what happens in the next year, or four, or eight, remember to never stop treating people with respect, to never think yourself better than anyone and to always fight for the things you believe.
Twenty Sixteen may have been the year that rocked that boat but that doesn’t mean 2017 is wasted. Keep fighting, be strong, and make sure your voice is never left unheard.
