Such was our calling

Change is inevitable with such a massive upheaval in the world. The broader 'system that upholds structural inequality' is of course global capitalism. As global capitalism creates the conditions for such a pandemic to occur, likely increasingly so as we enter the death throes of this b phase (2008 - ?) of neoliberal capitalism. And as Capitalism organizes and shapes nature (this time in the form of a pandemic), so nature in turn will reshape capitalism. As we've seen things like wild oscillation of the prices of goods as trade routes are interrupted etc. I think it's important to think of the pandemic, and ultimately nature in this way. This pandemic is going to be one of many disasters (climatic or otherwise) that we will increasingly see as capitalism falls victim to it's own internal contradictions, not an isolated event as many want to treat it. We've already seen some effects of the increasing climate apartheid. Increasingly scarce and expensive resources, massive migration, war, and the rise of charismatic proto-fascist leaders throughout all parts of the world. The most change will likely come from this increasing radicalization and polarization of politics. As times get tougher both the far left and the far right will grow, as has been the case historically. It's unclear who will come out on top but again historically capital takes the side of fascists, but popular support will be what matters most. - Optimism

I see more and more young people seeing through the façade of liberal ideology as it serves them less and less. Last summer we saw the biggest protests in our countries history, in response to state killings of Black Americans, and I suspect there is plenty more to come. I am also optimistic because historically, human beings respond to disasters altruistically, and we've seen that mostly hold true with this pandemic. I think one wrinkle in this pattern is that the pandemic necessitates physical distancing, which has made the usual community building that happens in these times more complex and probably lessened overall.

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pessimism