There’s a word lingering in the back of peoples' minds. It might hold more weight than any other when considered seriously; more than “coronavirus,” “fake news,” “Trump,” “Black Lives Matter,” “election,” or “climate change.” The word might not yet be conscious, but it has began to hover on the periphery as the political and economic divide becomes more stark, more nasty. The word yields historical perspective and naturally provides context to America’s current plight. The word is “revolution.”

I don’t know how many people are actually entertaining the idea. But it’s obvious that the current conditions are fermenting unrest. I don’t believe revolution is the answer. And although every generation since the dawn of our civilization has bemoaned the end of the world, I do think the possibility of at least partial revolution is increasing. People are angry, and people are suffering. We have significant problems that must be solved. And we need leadership.

That’s why next month’s election is so important. That’s also why November is merely the beginning. Whomever is elected, in both the executive and legislative branches, change must be a priority. The status quo can no longer go on, and will no longer be tolerated. We can salvage the good we have built over the past 200 years, while still fundamentally improving the institutions of society to truly live up to our ideals of freedom, equality, and justice. But it will take work. It will require persistence. This experiment we call democracy isn’t easy. Building things better is always more difficult than tearing them down. Will we be a generation of builders?