By: Maxine Davey | Head Editor
December 13, 2019
2019 has brought us some memorable moments: from pop culture to politics, this year has been one for the books. Here’s a look at some of the best and worst events from the past 12 months.
Music
The Best: Country music was reinvented.
After Lil Nas X’s hit “Old Town Road” was pulled off country charts due to its genre-bending combination of hip-hop and country, Billy Ray Cyrus teamed up with the artist to create a remix that couldn’t help but break the record of weeks held at the number one song on the Billboard Top 100.
And Brandi Carlile finally received her well-overdue three Grammy awards before forming The Highwomen–a supergroup comprised of Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby–whose mission was to reinvent women in country music. The group penned what is being hailed as the “first gay country song,” “If She Ever Leaves Me.”
The Best: BTS ruled the K-pop scene.
The seven-member boy band from South Korea became the first-ever K-pop group to perform on Saturday Night Live, hit number one album on the Billboard charts for the third time, presented an award at the Grammys, and released a song with Halsey called “Boy With Luv.”
The Worst: Michael Jackson’s name was tarnished amid allegations of child molestation.
Along with the release of the documentary “Leaving Neverland” came shocking reports of a scandal involving Jackson and two children, whom he reportedly sexually assaulted.
Politics
The Best: There are more women and minorities in Congress than ever.
In 2018, a record-breaking number of women and minorities were voted into congress. This year, they began their terms, and Congress is now comprised of nearly 25% women.
The Worst: Trump failed to make America Great.
The Ukraine scandal has rocked the White House, and it seems as if impeachment is imminent. Meanwhile, Trump has been unable to fulfill most of his campaign promises (drain the swamp anyone?)
The Worst: We still haven’t passed any gun control laws.
This year has had more mass shootings than days (392) and death rates have passed 14,000 in 2019 alone. The number of federal laws passed enforcing gun control? Zero.
Technology
The Best: The iPhone 11 brought Instagram pics to a whole new level.
With a dual-camera system that allows for wide and ultra wide angles, the iPhone 11 camera is more sophisticated than most people know what to do with.
The Worst: Life 360 ruined teenagers’ lives.
The protective parent is more dangerous than ever, and sneaking out has never been harder than for the modern-day teen.
The Environment
The Good: Greta Thunberg inspired a generation.
A new age of environmental consciousness is arising, thanks in part to Thunberg, a Swedish teenager who inspired world-wide strikes for climate change and the “Greta effect:” waves of environmental activism across the globe.
The Bad: The Amazon is still on fire.
Thousands of intentionally-set fires have caused an environmental disaster in the Amazon rainforest. Slash-and-burn agriculture raises health threats and destroys the best barriers we have against climate change.
Fashion
The Best: Men on the red carpets changed the standard.
A wave of new masculinity dominated movie premiers, awards shows, and, most importantly, the Met Gala.
The Best: Lady Gaga’s Cinderella moment.
Enough said.
The Worst: Dad sneakers.
Why. Just why?
Sports
The Best: The US Women’s National Team won the World Cup.
It was an incredible year for Megan Rapinoe (who gloriously dissed President Trump) and the rest of the US squad. Their back-to-back World Cup victories truly establish them as the best soccer team in the world.
The Worst: The US Men’s National Team didn’t even qualify for the World Cup–and they still get paid more.
Luckily, an equal-pay lawsuit established by members of the women’s soccer team may bring the pay gap a little closer. For now, we’re stuck watching the men’s joke of a team fail to win any major tournament ever.
After an interesting past 12 months, we’re all ready to step into the new year and start a new decade afresh. Here’s to 2019–and all the terrible, weird, and wonderful times we’ve had.
Life 360 continues to rule over my life and restricts the freedom teenagers should have. 10/10 do not recommend.