A Synopsis of the Survival of Summer's Madness

By: Rowyn Lambert '22

(Image courtesy of cbc.ca)

Do you remember yourself back in March? Chances are, you’re probably picturing the “old you” and excessively cringing. Well, quarantine and too much time spent inside can do that to a person. In fact, many of us have most likely changed a lot over the summer, and with good reason. We had just completed our first ever semester of school online. We weren’t able to spend time with our friends, due to social distancing measures. Several businesses were shutting down and traveling was deemed unsafe. Our families were getting increasingly intolerable to live with every coming day. Combine that with hot California weather and you’re looking at one very dull, unconventional summer.

Even if you’re the type of person who prefers to relax inside all summer long, the new normal took some getting used to. It was difficult to find something entertaining to do, or any activity that didn’t involve technology. When you have no plans for an entire season, it can be pretty easy to waste that time by mindlessly scrolling on Instagram or TikTok for hours. However, social media did have one enormous, positive impact: the spread of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Beginning in June 2020, the movement spread across the nation, garnering attention in the form of protests, but also through social media. It became a major education outlet for the subject, which significantly raised awareness everywhere. It spread petitions and donation websites and untold stories of victims of systemic racism and police brutality. Although this summer may have been slightly unproductive for many, it was ultimately essential to exposing America’s countless issues.

The madness doesn’t end with the summer, unfortunately. We’re entering the new school year completely online, just as we ended it. We still can’t see our friends in person. Various businesses still have not made their comeback. You’re probably still sick of your family, and the weather remains unbearably hot. However, we do have one benefit that we did not have back in March: experience. While online school may never feel normal, there’s no doubt that we’re more used to it by now. With every daily Zoom call, we are constantly adapting to this crazy new situation. It may feel difficult, but soon enough, you will get the hang of it. Good luck, and remember, you’ve survived summer 2020; the sky's the limit.