Most people will agree that yes, this year has seemed far worse than those before it. On Twitter, Facebook and many other social media sites it has been the major ongoing joke during the last few months of 2016.
Objectively 2016 most likely hasn’t been as bad as we think. The year was filled with major events, such as the decision in the UK to leave the EU or the US elections. These elections didn’t have the outcomes expected by many, or even those necessarily supported by the majority of the people in the countries effected, but was the rest of the year really that bad?
Some brilliant things happened this year, although we haven’t heard about all of them. Smaller stories, such as the many young people fundraising for charities such as Great Ormond Street Hospital. One place to read these local good-news stories is the Ilford Record’s list of Young Citizen Award nominees, full of inspiring stories of young people getting involved and doing good.
More high-profile good news came from the Rio Olympics and Paralympics. “They’re achieving a much higher profile.” said Dennis, aged 48. “The aim of the Olympic movement is to give the Paralympics and all they stand for equal status [with the Olympics] in the world of sports, and they’re finally achieving it.”
Aside from the ‘bad’ things which happened in much of the world this year, not even addressing the war and other man-made human disasters which have both worsened and been created this year, there are many good things we simply do not hear about. In 2017, look around and find the good news in your local area and get involved with the good things being done right around your corner.
Isabel King, Ursuline Academy Ilford
