I don’t think I’m alone when I state that 2020 is the most unusual year I have ever experienced. And to add to the COVID-19 craziness, we were in the midst of a presidential election season. So, when I discovered that the Pantone Color Institute announced 'Classic Blue' as its Color of the Year for 2020, I couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t the selection of a timeless shade a bit ironic given the trajectory of the past few months?” I mean, we’re collectively living in a chaotic moment in history while attempting to keep our routines in-tact. There's nothing classic about 2020.

However, 'Classic Blue' isn’t just about the name of the shade. Since 1999, the Pantone Color Institute has picked a color of the year that correlates with sentiments we feel throughout moments in life. Whether that be nostalgia or hope for the future, the company’s chosen color creates and resembles a narrative that promotes commonality among society as a whole. The story this color tells includes values and aspirations we all understand, and 2020's shade and the symbolism behind it are no exception.

"Classic Blue speaks to our feelings of anticipation. When you think about the sky at dusk, the day isn’t over. You’re thinking, what’s ahead of us? It’s reassuring, but thought-provoking," said Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. "It highlights our desire for this dependable, anchoring foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. We’re living in a time that requires trust and faith and confidence. We all see this blue sky and can relate to it - it’s approachable.”

I’m pretty sure we all need comfort and reassurance now more than ever. Some of us find comfort and reassurance through self-care, spirituality or science. However, many individuals, including myself, looked toward the election as a beacon of hope. In my opinion, November is like the shade of blue we see at dusk; it embodies the hope that tomorrow will bring a brighter future - a future full of trust in leadership, faith in acceptance and inclusion and confidence that U.S. citizens will exercise their right to vote. And that they did- 2020 saw the largest voter turnout in history.

If you’re like me, then you probably have a love-hate relationship with politics. On one hand, individuals like Kamala Harris are breaking glass ceilings and empowering women and young girls to do whatever they set their minds to. On the other hand, politics cause a great divide among family, friends and strangers, which is the last thing anyone wants. While these instances are only scratching the surface of my evolving view of politics, I’ve experienced firsthand the division this system produces.