Giving thanks in 2020

What a year it has been with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic into our global community, and the current worldwide death toll at 1.42 million. In the US the death toll is 262,000 and in Arizona, 6,500 (and counting).

Despite these figures, we know people (even relatives) who think this coronavirus pandemic is a governmental hoax and not more serious than the common flu.

However, despite this, there is a lot to be thankful for in 2020. It was a US Presidential Election year, and thankfully former VP Joe Biden, a Democrat has won the election, along with his Asian/Black VP nominee Kamala Harris, US Senator from California. We are awaiting their inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021.

Statewide, Arizona now has two Democratic US Senators and a Latina Democrat Anna Tovar on the Arizona Corporation Commission (to join Black American Sandra Kennedy on that commission). However, the majority on that commission is still Republican. Both propositions 207 and 208 passed, legalizing recreational marijuana and providing more $ for public education.

Here in Pima County, there was a strong Democratic sweep of County offices, except for District 4 Supervisor and the County Treasurer. Pima County elected their first Native American Gabriella Cazares-Kelly to the office of Recorder, which handles the voter registrations.

Both Governing Boards of Pima Community College and TUSD are more ethnically diverse, with the election of Catherine Ripley (half Asian) to PCC – to join Hispanic Americans Maria Garcia and Luis Gonzales on that board. And on the TUSD board, Natalie Luna Rose (Hispanic), Sadie Shaw (Black), and Dr. Ravi Grivois-Shah (Asian Indian and gay) will serve along with Latina Adelita Grijalva (also elected to District 5 Board of Supervisors).

We need to be grateful to the progressiveness and diversity of Pima County in Arizona, and that the state is now becoming “purple.” Why is Arizona not blue yet — because Republicans hold the Governorship, the AZ Senate, AZ House, and the majority of the Az Corporation Commission. The Arizona Attorney General, Treasurer, Mine Inspector are also Republicans. There is more work to be done in 2022.

So, let us give thanks for what we have, and strive to do better in 2021 and beyond, esp. here at Blog for Arizona. Personally, I’m thankful for my ongoing good health and my family, some of whom we’ve been able to visit, even during these trying times.

Happy Thanksgiving 2020, despite the pandemic. Please avoid indoor social gatherings, and stay safe and healthy. And wear those masks!