Nearly two years into a global pandemic and a year past a deadly coup attempt, it’s easy to feel worn down by the churn of news. But if you know where to look, there’s also a lot to be hopeful about too.
Here are a few villains that shaped 2021 for the worse – and a few heroes worth rooting for.
Villain: The Republican Party
On Jan. 6, right-wing insurrectionists – with the support of the Trump White House and a few members of Congress – stormed the Capitol with the goal of overturning the 2020 presidential election.
Rather than reject this violent fringe, the Republican Party embraced their extremist values, ostracizing party leaders who refused to fall in line and purging election officials all over the country. This has resulted in a party that runs on xenophobia, disinformation and racism.