There’s nothing like stating the obvious. 2020 has been a crazy year so far. Humans are facing the greatest health and economic crises since the influenza outbreak of 1918-19 and the great depression of the early thirties. In the meantime, the global issue of climate change is still on the table. To complicate matters, recent shootings by police of black and indigenous people in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere has led to a resurgence of “black lives matter” and the need for examination of systemic racism by governments and corporations. Despite fears over the on-going coronavirus pandemic, protests against anti-black racism emerged around the world.
As with the recent growth in support of tackling climate change issues, there has obviously been a major change in support for dealing with systemic racism and in particular the use of force by police and the authorities against marginalized groups. The spread of COVID-19 has particularly negatively affected various marginalized groups in proportion to their statistical share of the general population. The economic lockdown of many sectors has also disproportionately affected those same groups as indicated by unemployment and poverty stats. Vulnerable seniors in long-term care have unfortunately been the most affected by the pandemic as evidenced by the fact that in many states and provinces they represent around ninety percent of the related deaths. This is a clear negative outcome of the inadequate warehousing of and continuing poor health care for seniors that took place over the last fifty or sixty years.
Young people today are also bearing the brunt of dealing with climate change, the downturn in the economy, systemic racism and future employment changes. As a member of the boomer generation, I do not envy their multitude of challenges. As a society, we must recognize that the younger generation will require all the support that can be provided, regardless of the costs. Once we are through with the various impacts of the pandemic, if ever, societies will have to seek out a “new normal”. This will take a concerted effort on the part of individuals, communities, organizations, governments, international bodies, and many others. Changes are inevitable.
Unfortunately, uncertain times as these can be overwhelming for people. Often, there is a desire to return to the way it was in the past — a form of “unrealistic nostalgia”. There will no doubt be opposition to far-reaching societal change. If there is one thing that these crises have done is to force us to recognize the urgent need for real changes. Simply talking about the issues is not longer acceptable, especially for future leaders. Recent collective reactions to all three crises, including the emergence of global movements, are clear evidence of the growing desire for action and real change.
FROLITICKS 
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