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.”
The year of 2020
We had to do online school
Slowed down
2020 put me in a bad position. I was trying to look for a stable place to stay but with the whole virus going on things are slowed 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…
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
Liefe
I haven bee. Through a lot cling you have been rob by the police beat up and lot of many thing that’s not worth talking about but it’s time for a chase
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…
#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!
#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 .
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
#20 WHEN WILL THIS BE OVER
Ms ponticello is a 73 year old recluse. She very seldom answer her door or phone. It is always a hit or miss with her. Today was a good day!Ms ponticello has had her chihuahua taken from her by the hoa after the dog attacked a resident. She is receiving meals from cdc senior meal program.she feels as though the pandemic has left us in a state of disbelief and not knowing where and who to turn. Ms jan is mow wondering when will this be over.
#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…
#21 THE WADE-INS WERE HISTORIC
I an michelle d white lives born and raised in boynton beach. Historically,i come from a long line of civil-rights activist. Especially when the blacks were trying to integrate the beaches in broward county which they successfully did. The beach today is known as a landmark beach von d mizell-eula johnson state park.eula johnson was my aunt. My aunt eula owned a gas station in the 1960’s. Not many african-americans were likely too not even now. The von d mizell-eula johnson state park was known 60 years ago as the john u lloyd state park colored beach. It is…
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
#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….
#25 (Story #49)
Mrs everlene baker is a native of boynton beach. She is so glad that god has allowed her to see 73 years of age on june 24th. She is a mother to angie,53 yrs old. Who teaches at lake worth high school . She is also her mother’s caregiver. Everlene has suffered from two(2) strokes in the past five(5) years.everlene feels this virus was an act of god due to all the wickedness in the owrld . She believe we must take heed and magnify his name and trust and obey his word.
#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 (Story #88)
Something I’ve witnessed in 2020 is riots and people dying because of in COVID-19
#15
Mrs katherine todd comes to boynton beach by way of georgia in 1990. She is 91 year young.she suffers from no major illnesses. Mrs todd has had a cornea transplant. The virus has kept her away from friends . She has one living son that she hasn’t seen this year.
Never
Seven months into 2020 and it feels like seven life times. 2020 is a year that needs its on history book just for the first seven months and several editions for the remaining five months. I never imagined in 2020 I would bury my father. I never imagined we would be walking around with face mask on or wearing gloves due to a virus with no cure. I never imagined that a man by the name of George Floyd would bring the whole world to their feet and scream JUSTICE!! I never thought people would burn down…
#AnneYEC2020 (Story #110)
Not being able to work full time at work but I stay positive and willing to do anything for my health
#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…
Adapt
Living in 2020 was different and everyone had to adapt to the change quickly.
Surviving the Pandemic
Its been hard living thru 2020, if not the deaths all over the country, its been the virus which has taken so many innocent lives, then theres people struggeling to get by with all the businesses closing, food banks running empty everyday, the propaganda with the government, not wanting to help financially, ? Stimulus, and people out robbing homes, people on streets, and then theres people waiting to see what loved ones will survive , waiting on the vaccine, im 59 yrs old, i do not remember a year in my life were i was so afraid wondering if my…
Live in the present!
Never take life for granted. 2020 changed drastically within a month, due to Covid 19.
2020 gone BAD
2020 has been a horrific year.
My grandkids
The pandemic has put me in a position that i cant see most of my grandchildren because of the virus.
#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.
Phrase
You can be up today and down tomorrow don’t take life for granted.
#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
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.
#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.
Survival
I’ve learned that life can be changed in the blank of an eye. I’ve learned to use community resources such as the city bus and food drives to help save money in order to pay bills. Utilizing the food drives also allowed me to help family who were laid off during this hard time.
The Kids
This has been crazy being stuck at home. I think my kids have had it hardest bc they can’t see their friends or really participate in any activities. The food distributions and community feedings have been awesome. It saves some money from the limited funds that are no longer coming in.
#2020 #covid-19
In 2020 coronavirus cases went up I even know someone personally that tested positive for corona.
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
10
You have to be strong and persevere. COVID-19 cut down my ability to earn extra money to help support my family because I cater events and all events were canceled this hindered me from being able to pay my bills. I was working part time and I needed the money to support my household and it just wasn’t there, and month after month the bills just got higher and higher. My husband was on dialysis and he wasn’t able to support the family like he wanted to. Then on Thanksgiving day of 2020 I witnessed the death of my husband…
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…
Never the same
2020 was a wild year. Alot of thing’s changed and alot of things will never be the same.
#21
Mr lloyd sukhu is from bengali. He lives with his wife maywantie. Mr lloyd will be celebrating his 76th birthday september 28th.he and his family moved to boynton beach 20 years ago. He received a triple by pass about 3 years ago. He and his wife now babysit their beautiful grandboy with lots of humility. The suhku believe that his virus came as apunishment from the creator.
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.
#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…
#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!
#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?
“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…
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.
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.
Children displaced.
During this time the hardest time was being away from my children. Due to me having to work and there being no Child care, being responsible I had to send my children to Georgia to have adequate care daily. Working pushes me out of my home for 8 hours sometimes 9 and it would be unfair for them to stay home alone.
No Help
I am disabled and don’t drive. This mess has really got to me I don’t drive and they don’t deliver food or meds here so its been real hard to get stuff when I need it. I can’t even get to the dr or vet for my service dog.
#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.
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