Bits of Style: On 2016

2016 was a whirlwind of a year. There was chaos, confusion, division, and inequality on a global scale. Every corner of the world struggled with the very fundamentals of human rights; a debate on who holds the privileges of freedom, safety, and self-expression, and who has been unjustly denied them. 2016 saw the election of Donald Trump, whose track record of misogyny, islamophobia, xenophobia, homophobia, racism, and ableism frightens many, myself included. 2016 saw Aleppo burn, lives lost in cruel and senseless acts of violence, injustice for women, people of color, and other minority groups, a general lack of accountability, and the warmest year on record.

Through the heartache, there was hope. I saw hope in communities coming together after devastating events. I saw hope in Michelle Obama who reminds us, "When they go low, we go high." I saw hope in Hillary Clinton, who carried her campaign from beginning to end with poise, respect, and strength. Her concession speech brought me to tears when she said, "Never stop believing fighting for what's right is worth it....And to all the women, and especially the young women, who put their faith in this campaign and in me, I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion." I have hope that the future is female. I also saw hope in the power of the written word. I read countless articles in 2016 that so articulately captured feelings which are practically indescribable. I will link a few of these below.

I have already packed my proverbial suitcase for 2017 with a sense of humor, unbreakable strength, and love that knows no bounds. It is so full it can barely shut, and I will carry it with me wherever I go. We have a long way to go moving forward, but I am prepared for the journey and hard work that lies ahead.

Below, I've compiled the media that moved me, made me think, and made me laugh this year. Have a read, a watch, and a listen.

Articles:

"Hillary Clinton is More Than a President" by Virginia Heffernan (Lenny)

"If Hillary Clinton Groped Men" by Nicholas Kristof (The New York Times)

"Against Donald Trump" by The Editors of The Atlantic (The Atlantic)

"Not 'Just Words': Why Donald Trump's Lewd Talk Matters" by Lisa Belkin (Yahoo! News)

"Hillary Clinton Will Not Be Manterrupted" by Jessica Bennett (The New York Times)

"On Cultural Appropriation, Racism, and Fashion's Blind Spots" by Leslie Price (Man Repeller)

"Tim Gunn: Designers Refuse to Make Clothes to Fit American Women. It's a Disgrace" by Tim Gunn (The Washington Post)

"24 Things Women Over 30 Should Wear" (Warning: Curves Ahead)

"The Largest Ever Analysis of Film Dialogue by Gender: 2,000 scripts, 25,000 actors, 4 million lines" by Hannah Anderson and Matt Daniels (Polygraph)

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