Earlier this month, my sister shared this thing that gets into your Spotify and gives you a (sarcastic) assessment of your taste in music. It was funny and scary accurate. Although, I did not appreciate the AI’s high horse ‘tude for the one and only artist who single handedly saved 2020: Her royal highness Taylor Swift.
It asked me if I listen to 22 “ironically.” As someone who constantly oscillating between happy, free, confused and lonely, I said unironically, “No.”
Obviously.
I was also mocked by this robot for the amount of Disney music and show tunes played in 2020. This was not surprising considering my account’s most played song this year was Disney Mulan’s, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.”
A bop, fortunately for me. At least the first few times I heard it after the song had been tucked into the archives of my brain for twenty years. Other songs from my past that were resurrected this year to help make quarantining and time in the car with toddlers more fun were things like Raffi, Veggie Tales, all of Glee’s seasons and a whole bunch of musicals. Hamilton, obviously. Momma Mia. And, Savannah really liked Annie late this fall.
I kind of loved this. I *loved* Annie as a girl.
But, like most things, through the lens of adulthood– and 2020– the story and lyrics hit different.
I thought of the scene in the movie where Mr. Warbucks and FDR sing “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” and how it was kind of a rallying cry for the time. And how the radio show played a jingle about, “never being fully dressed without a smile.”
It was The Great Depression and times were dark for so many. Leadership and media was reaching for optimism and hope and reminding others to do the same.
While not as catchy as the musical numbers, there has been similar messaging on commercials and radio spots this year. The “be together, apart” and “we will get through this” and “things may seem dark, but…” messages.
I have gone back in forth in my mind wondering, “Is this just… propaganda?” Is it keeping morale– and people– in check by searching for silver linings or hope for better, sunnier, smilier days?
This year in particular people are quick to jump on the idea of toxic positivity and this kind of “finding light in darkness” or silver linings get lumped into this thought. And, they are seen as a negative and in poor taste to think. Sometimes even thought of as privilege to even consider any bright side.
I don’t believe that any part of this pandemic “happened for a reason” and I would hope that the things we have found beautiful this year are things we could find any year– even though the slowness of this year may have made them more predominant. I don’t find any silver linings in the fact that hundred of thousands of people have died and that jobs, fantastic restaurants and countless family businesses have been lost.
I do recognize that I have slipped into some “searching for the positive” looking at the time in quarantine and wondering perhaps if it will actually be some of my most treasured memories.
But, I cannot get behind the idea that hope and optimism is toxic. Or even privileged.
For one, to dismiss hope as a feeling or state of being from someone who may be at a disadvantage is just cruel. To deny someone the ability to be optimistic because of their lack of societal deemed “privilege” denys their skills and abilities to do anything to improve their situation.
And second, the alternative is pessimism. It’s not believing that change is possible or that better days are coming. It’s apathy. And, I cannot think of a darker, more toxic way of being.
Despite all of 2020– this pandemic, the unrest and division– I remain hopeful for better days and believe that the sun will come out… maybe not tomorrow, but it will come out again. Soon-is even. And, I hope is the same for you this New Year.
So, Hey Daper Dan, Hobo Man; Senators and janitors; Millennial Moms, binger of sitcoms and owner of too much lip balms, put on your best smile. Cheers to 2021.
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