Coming on the heels of what by most accounts was the worst year ever, 2017 was greeted with high expectations. After a year that saw Donald Trump become US President, Britain vote to exit the European Union in a widely criticised move and India grapple with a severe cash crunch and economic slowdown after the demonetisation of high-value currency notes, the mandate for 2017 was clear. It had one job – to be better than 2016.
As the year draws to a close, it is hard to say if 2017 lived up to the brief. A look back shows that the political and social narrative in India grew more communally charged, terror attacks continued unabated across the world, an entire community was driven out of their homes in Myanmar and the Alt Right emerged from the fringes and assumed centrestage in the West.
There were some good things too: the women-led #MeToo movement started a global dialogue on sexual harassment, India’s Supreme Court declared privacy as a fundamental right and the Islamic State was dismantled (at least for now), to name a few.
While the world’s opinion leaders are yet to deliver their verdict on 2017, Twitter users succinctly summed up their thoughts.
In these tough times, the lack of a partner to share the burden was particularly painful for some.
For some Twitter users, words could not do justice to the horror that was 2017, the increased 280-character limit notwithstanding.
Lest the year ends on an entirely bleak note, social media user Jacob Atkins reminded the Twitterverse that 2017 did offer some reason for cheer.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!