My 2020 Vision

And so, farewell then 2019.

Not the year I would have wished for in many ways; personal, professional or political. Some of it I’ve touched on in my journal, some of it I haven’t, but it’s all left me exhausted. So, I’ve taken some time out for rest and reflection over the holidays, to prepare for the challenges of the year, and the decade, ahead.

There’s still so much to be done and we need to stay vigilant to the mendacity of the leaders and governments that we’ve inflicted upon ourselves; try to sort out the many messes we’ve made and form ourselves into an effective opposition and genuine alternative to all the bigotry, blame, intolerance, selfishness, greed, wastefulness and fear. I don’t mean this to sound negative... I’m genuinely convinced that hope, positivity, kindness, cooperation, generosity of spirit, open arms and inclusivity are the answer! In-fighting and holier-than-thou attitudes aren’t going to save the planet, ensure access to education, health and social care for all, or put a roof over anyone’s head, that’s for sure.

One of my touchstone songs of the year has been ‘Harmony Hall’ by Vampire Weekend. A rave-inflected slice of ‘90s nostalgia, tune-wise, but with a lyric by Ezra Koenig that could hardly be more apt for today - literally or metaphorically - touching as he does on corruption in the halls of power, the danger of dwelling in political echo-chambers, the escalation (once again) of blatant racism and anti-Semitic tropes, and the despair and hopelessness that so many of us feel in the face of it all.

“We took a vow in summertime
Now we find ourselves in late December
I believe that New Year's Eve
Will be the perfect time for their great surrender
But they don't remember...”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=IlkTVMMkCP4

On which note, I wish you all a happy, healthy and hopeful 2020!

PS My t-shirt reminds me to give an end-of-year shout out to the ever-brilliant Greta Gerwig! ‘Little Women’, which she directed, and for which she also wrote the screenplay, is one of my standout films of the year. Do go and see it if you’re able to, it’s well worth a trip to the cinema! www.youtube.com/watch?v=AST2-4db4ic

PPS I know I’ve blipped my ‘Woody Guthrie’s New Years Rulin’s 1942’ poster once before, years ago, but it always bears another look, so I’ve included it as an Extra. His resolutions for 1942 still seem relevant for 2020.