I’ve read a few takes on why this disaster is an opportunity for change.

One was about how things should not “return to normal” for Black people when the previous normal sucked for us, another one was comparing this moment to the days after 9/11 when the Left failed to rise to the occasion and preempt the Bush-era growth of the surveillance state, and another one talked about how so many bad, exploitative practices against the working class were suddenly suspended in a cascade across multiple states and cities and why they should be permanently retired.

I somewhat agree. This is a moment of change, a moment to press against power, make powerful asks and root them in the language of “if you don’t do this, Americans will die and their blood will be on your hand”. This is already happening in the realm of voting rights, particularly regarding voter registration deadlines (like Wisconsin), primary delays (like Ohio) and absentee ballot request excuses (like Alabama).

While things are in such a state of flux, are we willing to take advantage of it?