Residents were asked, “Please share a story, idea, personal experience, or something you’ve witnessed that will help future generations understand what it was like to live through and cope with 2020.“ Explore 50 responses below, selected at random. Which responses capture your attention? (Some responses were transcribed by youth volunteers.) To learn more about the storyteller and how they interpreted their response, click “Zoom In.”
#FedYEC2020 (Story #96)
Can go out with my family like we used to and everytime we do go out we are scared that were going to get the virus
Starting My Business
2020 has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and start my business so that I have multiple streams of income
La vida de las madre
Me quede sin trabajo me toco se maestra de mi hija y no se ingles mi hija ni copera y se ponen muy agresiva cuando esta en las clase por zoom yo estoy muy frustrada trato de hacer la limpieza diaria pero ni se puede con los niños y las clase para completar tengo que estar buscando a alguien que me acompañe a la tienda cuando necesito algo porque no puedo bajar a los nene por cuidarlo a vece puedo ordenar en linea pero no siempre porque piden mínimos y la situacion no esta para malgastar. Mi papa esta muy…
#2020coronavirus
My job is slow ever since the coronavirus occurred
Covid-19 (Story #66)
Personal experience from covid-19 was my senior year was canceled. Things was going so well and all of a sudden the world shut down.
Trust
My name is Barbara my 3 children and I have Asthma. My self and 10 year old have chronic asthma. This started for us March 23,2020. Our lives will be changed forever. My job closed its door for a few weeks. I said what would I do now. On top of that We have breathing issues that we go through already sometimes on a daily basis. Due to covid which affects people with asthma. We now have been subject to wear masks and isolate ourselves from our family as well as friends. I started getting panic attacks which have never…
READ
Working with young boys who think that sports are the only thing in the world. Watching them experience that sports can be gone in a second and education will always be an option.
#25 (Story #16)
I am a small business owner and had to shut down because I sell food. It was hard to take care of my family without being able to run my business. I ended up closing down.
Covid-19 (Story #68)
I lived a long time and 2020 was by far the most crazy year i ever seen. Things changed quick and being that im a little older i have to move different so i dont come down with covid-19
#14 (Story #51)
Virginia bulger has been living in boynton beach all her life. She lives in the home of her mother where she was actually born some 83 years ago. She is a descendant of the bahamas. She has been a member of the church of god-boynton beach for life. She firmly believes that god has been angered and we need to abide and listen to him. There is not one thing that man can do or knows regarding this virus.
#14 (Story #53)
Mary jane planter is an 85 year old working at bethesda east in the cafeteria. She enjoys spending time with her son and his family.ms planter feels that the injustice seen all around the united states is a disregard for human life. No wonder,people are marchung and singing they have every right to…This is bad!
#11 I AM VERY FRUSTRATED
Mrs jean sliwa is a 79 years young. When i called her,she was just getting home from having wine with her friends. Mrs sliwa loves life! She says that what her mad is that while she takes daily walks at ocean park in boynton beach. She is approached by those that don’t think that mask are of importance. But,i do and they are endangering my life. With the black lives matters, i am appalled at the treatment that is handed down on people of color. It is very frustrating.
Together
I personally seen my church help out tons of people every week with a good pantry . I feel like we all have to think about others in the pandemic. And we will overcome it by the grace of God
“El 2020 cambio mi vida”
Este año sin duda quedara en la historia,muchas cosas an cambiado personalmente esta pandemia nos a afectado mucho ami familia y ami. Me enferme de tanto estres se me empezo a caer el pelo a puños algo que nunca me habia pasado me preocupe fui al doctor y me dieron medicamento oara el estres pero me mantenia dirmida, decidi no tomar nada solo hacer calma poco a poco empese a mejorar, pero todo se empeoro otraves cuando comenzaron las clases de mis hijos, fue cun cambio muy grande para ellos yo tuve que dejar de trabajar para estar con ellos…
#3 THIS IS SOMETHING I NEVER WANT TO WITNESS AGAIN
I am ginger colebrooks,the oldest of sister of two(2). My younger sister,juanita,lives in miami,florida. On june 29.2020,she underwent a major surgical procedure. She is a cognitive impaired person. The fact,that she was hospitalized and she was literally turned over to the hospital without her immediate family close by . This left me heart-broken. I anxiously wait to skype with her soon. She is now in a rehabilitation facility for two(2) weeks.this is something that i never want to witness ever again!
#2020 #covid-19
In 2020 coronavirus cases went up I even know someone personally that tested positive for corona.
#23
Mrs catherinr hinson is an 85 year old widow. She was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago as a-symptomatic for covid 19. She is a retired teacher and a proud graduate of an hbcu-bethune-cookman university. She has stood with many causes that have affected change in the black community. Hwe covid 19 respoonse is that it is real. Mrs hinson feels that she went out just a little too much. Her son,efrem,vows to do all errands until this pandemic is over.
The Times
Ive witnessed several events throughout 2020 that will forever be in or memories. Between the Pandemic and the Police murders of unarmed black men and civilians, it a lot to deal with and understand. I think what will help future generations is us explaining to them the past the present and get them to understand what it takes to make change in the future. We all learn from experiences and I think it teaches the younger generation to get and be more involved and active, i think they will understand better how to speak up for what they feel is…
#12 THIS IS LIKE JAIL
Mrs carol woodside is 82 years of age and she is from louisville,kentucky. She has lived in boynton beach for 19 years. Mrs woodside is scheduled to have a spinal fusion as soon as the hospitals open up for elective surgeries. Sh is fearful of exposure to covid19. She never thought about not being able to see her grands back in kentucky but due to covid she can.t. This is like jail!
Survive
It is difficult times for all because many people dying.I have my mother with me and I have to give her support and take care of her.Praying for all that God helped us.
Blessing
What I witness is people who are truly in need and just being able to help out and give to others is just a blessing. You start realizing that your problem are nothing.
#2020 (Story #88)
Something I’ve witnessed in 2020 is riots and people dying because of in COVID-19
#1
One of the most tragic and scary is the fact that we cannot visit loved ones. Loved ones that are in hospitals dying,dis-eased and families that cannot lay their eyes on those that are hospitalized.
2020 gone BAD
2020 has been a horrific year.
#24
Ms eva hollis is the mother of 14 adult children. Her daughter,earline(71) prepare breakfast and lunch for her on a daily basis. She moves pretty slow. However,she is swift in memory. One of her son lives with her. Mrs eva is 96 years young. She says that covid 19 is so sad. Many have lost their lives with this virus. I stay in the house unless i must see my doctor. People should obey and stay home!
#2
That black lives really do matter…Everyone coming together against racism.covid-19 has had an impact on families that do not spend time together.
MAKING IT WORK, DURING CHALLENGING TIMES NUMBER 10+
My Personsal experience after losing 100% of my small Fitness business, I intially started to shutdown and feel slightly depressed. After about 2 weeks of just sitting around the house doing nothing (except trying to apply for unemployment). and not going out. I knew that I could not continue on this path. I started reaching out to my contracted business partners offering to partner together to conduct online classes, with them as the financial supporter. At that time, I was familiar with ZOOM platform, but had not never created or hosted an event or meeting myself. I took time to…
#classof2020jipped
We had issues with my kid’s senior year activities. His school does quite a bit for seniors during the spring semester. He missed prom, they postponed and had a crappy graduation ceremony, and they were unable to do their after graduation party referred to as Project Graduation. We had to do a “drive-thru” graduation ceremony. It was so hard on him. However, the counselors did call all the students to check on them throughout the rest of the semester. He senior speech was chosen to be used in their online graduation memoriam, and it…
#coronavirus (Story #92)
Have not been able to go to work because of coronavirus
#6 I HAVE A GRANDSON WITH THE VIRUS
I am mary jones 83 years old. I have lived in boynton beach since 1981. I am originally from cuthbert,georgia. I have a 25 years young grandson with this virus. He resides in in atlanta,georgia. This has affected his family. I am trying to stay clear of the virus. I will take her some microban on tomorrow.she has another grandson that resides with her, he runs all errands.
Living with Faith 2020
2020 has been a journey alittle challenging but I’m making it through by the grace of God I’m thankful for his grace and mercy I did have covid back in June but I made it through it was a little tough for 2 days and after that I was good so yes I am a covid-19 survivor…. my God is able
Heart breaking effect
Well as an African America young woman i find it very heartbreaking to see our brothers and sisters hurt in such a tragic way.
#18 THE YOUTH ARE TIRED OF PROMISES NOT BEING FULFILLED
Claretha light is has been in boynton beach since a little girl. She was raised by her father coming from georgia. She is a petite lady and is 84 years of age.she feels like this has been happening to blacks for as long as she can remember. The killings by cops is the new lynching,tar and feathering. I just don’t know if it will ever stop. We have been marching since martin luther king,jr. The youth of today,we have failed them! The youth are tired of promises not being fulfilled.
grateful to God and life for one more opportunity
2020 a year with much to tell. where you realized that life is the most beautiful thing that God has given us where we learned to be more human where we realized that it does not matter the title, position or how high it is when the virus Attack no position, we learned that life can go away in an instant definitely a difficult year all change if we are still counting being here alive let us thank God and strength for all those who lost a family member I wish for all that 2021 be …
Stereotypes
As a black male i have definitely felt over powdered by the system even though i was a good kid i was stereotyped because i had dreads
Scary timeline!
It is was and still is hard time in daily way of life , whenever you go idea of COVID-19 infection is in back of your mind !!! Scared and unsure about what could be if you do get it and spread it to your parents or family .
The year of 2020
We had to do online school
#16
Mrs martha moody is 90 years young and she lives alone in a senior retirement community. Her next door neighbor takes really good care of her.her closest relative is her nephew and he lives in vero beach.the virus has denied her the willingness to worship at first presbyterian church for all of 40 years. She receives meals from the senior care program of cdc. She thinks the day will come when this virus leaves and take alot more citizens with it. Mrs martha also hopes that the policemen are reckoned with all over when they do horrible things to blacks….
Adapt
Living in 2020 was different and everyone had to adapt to the change quickly.
#10 I AM CONTENT!
Cynthia davis is a 73 years old single woman. She lives with not being extremely mobile due to experiencing a stroke years ago. She manages with the assistance of family and neighbors. She says god shut the entire world down with covid19. That is because he’s a angry god.he wants everybody to listen to his spiritual guidance. As for me,i am content my monies are direct deposited,i have prepared meals and get to my doctor’s appointments when needed.
7
Continue to focus and Educate Yourself no matter how bad it may seem.
#5
I AM BRENDA LOWE. i AM 71 YEARS OF AGE BORN AND RAISED IN BOYNTON BEACH. MY MOTHER BIRTH 15 CHILDREN. NINE(9) OF MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS ARE LIVING.THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT SHOWN ANY LEADERSHIP WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THIS PANDEMIC. IT GOES ON AND ON. WHERE AND WHEN WILL IT END?
#7 IT’S A BURDEN TO THE GOVERNMENT AND A HEALTH RISK TO THE ELDERLY
I am erma christie turning 90 years old on august 20th. I am a native of the caribbeans. She is a stern,dignified elder and proud christian lady of jamaica.she is a wealth of knowledge. There are no hardship for the younger generation. They are so accustomed to having too much. It’s a burden to the government and a health risk to the elderly(covid19). The young people are troubling with their carefree attitudes and again we suffer, now with those attitudes,everybody literally has the virus! The schools want be able to teach all children. They will be uneducated and not…
Live in the present!
Never take life for granted. 2020 changed drastically within a month, due to Covid 19.
Phrase
You can be up today and down tomorrow don’t take life for granted.
Never the same
2020 was a wild year. Alot of thing’s changed and alot of things will never be the same.
#18 SHE HAS WORKED IN THE HOMES OF THE WEALTHY
Mrs geneva wilkins and her husband have lived in boynton for about 46 years. There homes sits on a corner with a well-manicured lawn.they are of low- imcome but you will never kmow it. She worked in the homes of the wealthy and there was never a penny taken from her pay for social security benefits. This has happened to many black helps all over. Mrs wilkins feels that cannot take the risk.she has loss alot during this pandemic not able to cook and people come and purchase her food. Mr wilkins tries to have rummage sales on the weekends…
Unemployment
Living through 2020 was a wake up call. The things I thought i was doing that was important really wasnt so important at all.Unemployment has hit America hard.
#21 tHE UNREST HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING:
Ms mildred schley is a native of boynton beach. She is a mother to 4 sons and 1 daughter. She now lives with her daughter,jane. Jane teaches at congress middle school. Her oldest son suffers with many health concerns and he is in and out of the hospital.ms schley believes that the unrest has been a long time coming in the black community. She mentions that the baby boomers failed this generation by not standing and staying steadfast to the cause .
Stay woke
I believe that 2020 was planned and everything that is going on nobody has any care for the poor. Its just the beginning wait until they start trying to inject us
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