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One year ago, the landscape was completely different. Before the national election, reflective citizens could acknowledge America's significant faults – its inequities and inequality – but they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where legal governance carried weight. A state led by a dignified and ethical official, despite his older age and growing weakness.

These days, this autumn, many of us scarcely know the land we live in. Persons alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and shoved into transport, occasionally denied due process. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for an obscene ballroom. The leader is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and insisting federal prosecutors surrender a massive sum of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are being sent across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has – in effect – freed itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, journalism organizations are buckling under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the limit toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, commented recently. “Ultimately, swifter than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

Each day begins to new horrors. It is challenging to understand – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Nevertheless, it is known that the leader was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling previous administration and even after the warnings associated with the knowledge of the conservative plan – even after the leader directly declared plainly he intended to rule as a tyrant just on day one – enough Americans elected him over his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more frightening to understand that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this administration. What will three more years of this decline leave us? And if the three years turns into something even longer, since there is not anyone to limit this president from determining that another term is necessary, maybe for security concerns?

Admittedly, not everything is hopeless. There are congressional elections next year that could establish an alternate political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake one or both houses of Congress. We have public servants who are striving to impose certain responsibility, like representatives that are starting a probe regarding the effort to money grab from legal authorities.

And a national vote three years from now could initiate the path toward restoration exactly as last year’s election set us on this disappointing trajectory.

There are millions of Americans demonstrating in the streets throughout communities, like they performed in the past days during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or amid the Vietnam war protests or in the seventies crisis.

During those times, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

He claims he recognizes the signs of that revival and sees it happening currently. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the broad, multi-faction opposition to a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal refusal by journalists to sign military mandates they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force consistently stays inactive before certain corruption grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so loud, that he is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

At the same time, the major inquiries remain: will the nation return to normalcy? Is it possible to restore its standing globally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is correct; that everything could be gone. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we must try, through all methods we can.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that involves pushing media professionals to adhere, more fully, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For some people, it might involve working on congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or developing approaches to safeguard voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. A year from now? Or in several years? The truth is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to not give up.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I have during teaching with new media professionals, that are simultaneously idealistic and practical, {always