As election day draws closer, and with the triple crises — health, economic, and political — still awaiting resolution and no abatement in the popular demand for radical criminal justice reform and other anti-racist measures in sight, the clash between the country’s two main political blocs — the Democratic Party-democratic coalition bloc in one case and the right wing extremist, white nationalist, authoritarian bloc, led by Trump in the other case — can only reach a fever pitch. And whatever the outcome, this clash will continue after all the votes are counted and a winner declared. And in case it needs to be said, the winning side will be advantageously positioned to remake the state, economy, and social and democratic relations in accordance with its vision. In this light, the dangers are as frightening as the possibilities are palpable, exciting, and within reach.

To say that the racist murder of George Floyd and the massive anti-racist protests in reaction to this heinous crime shook the country and world, reconfigured politics, recast the understanding of racism and anti-racism in the minds of millions, revealed new dangers to democracy and democratic governance, and gave new urgency to defeating Trump carries not a hint of overstatement.

The floor on which people dance out their lives has changed in dramatic ways. Unforeseen and unpredictable events have washed away the old floor, replacing it a floor, both larger and differently configured. On it more people, many more, gather to dance. But they don’t dance to old familiar tunes. Nor is choreography of the past repeated. They move to a new rhythm and snap their fingers to a new beat, while swinging with new partners long into the night.