Everyone knows 2020 was not a typical year. In fact, it was probably the weirdest and most stressful twelve months most of us have ever experienced.
Some of the items I wrote this year were in direct response to what was happening in the world – both in macro and the micro sense – while others could’ve been published any other time.
The biggest change to my writing routine was my output – or lack thereof.
I only published 23 pieces this year, half the number of 2019 and a third of the two years prior to that. I’d love to say that this is simply a product of quality over quantity and I certainly hope that was a byproduct, but the truth is also that this was probably the busiest year of my life.
From being the point person for all COVID-19 reporting for a large health system to going back to grad school to my other full-time role as a husband and father of two (including a toddler that hates to sleep), it became very difficult to find time to scribble my nonsense on this site.
It wasn’t a total loss. I did publish nearly two dozen things and I think some of them are pretty strong.
I wrote about what it’s like to work for a hospital during a global pandemic and the struggle of parenting while also being an essential worker. I celebrated Kamala Harris’s success and what it means to little brown girls like my daughters, went long on the experience of being sent back to school as a 40-year-old father of two, and looked at the difference between playing a father on Instagram and actually being one.
I reflected on my life through the lens of my late best friend who would’ve turned 40 this year and examined why grey, overcast autumn days speak to my soul.
I still found time to write about some lighter topics.
I fantasized about a Batman film starring Jim Carrey in the title role.
I don’t write about hip-hop like I used to, but I still managed commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Ghostface Killah’s classic, Supreme Clientele, and mocked a Ranker list of the best rappers of all time.
I praised Jerry West as the best NBA player that never won an MVP award and I argued with anyone that claimed that LeBron James was not the player of the decade.
All of those pieces are listed by category below.
My Best Writing of 2019
My Best Writing of 2018
My Best Writing of 2017
My Best Writing of 2016
My Best Writing of 2015
FATHERHOOD
The Other Essential Workers: Parents
A Moment for Women of Color – Including My Daughters
CAREER
HIP-HOP
Still Supreme After Two Decades
Hey, Look! I Found the Worst Rap List of All Time!
LIFE
SPORTS
There Is No Debate: LeBron James Is the NBA Player of the Decade
Jerry West Is the Best NBA Player to Never Win the MVP
FILM
Continue to be safe and happy and hopefully this list will be much longer in a year!
Christopher Pierznik is the worst-selling author of nine books. Check out more of his writing at Medium. His work has appeared on XXL, Cuepoint, Business Insider, The Cauldron, Fatherly, Hip Hop Golden Age, and many more. Subscribe to his monthly newsletter or follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Please feel free to get in touch at CPierznik99@gmail.com.
