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Twelve months back, the landscape was utterly different. Before the US presidential election, reflective residents could admit the country's deep flaws – its inequities and disparity – however they continued to see it as America. A democratic nation. A country where constitutional order meant something. A country led by a respectable and ethical leader, notwithstanding his older age and declining health.

Nowadays, this autumn, numerous citizens barely recognize the country we inhabit. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are collected and forced into vans, sometimes refused legal rights. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being torn down to build a lavish ballroom. Donald Trump is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and demanding the justice department hand over a massive sum of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are dispatched into American cities with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of regular press examination as it spends possibly reaching nearly $1tn in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, journalism organizations are yielding from leader's menaces, and billionaires are regarded as aristocracy.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the edge into autocracy and totalitarianism,” an American historian, wrote in August. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes to new horrors. And it is challenging to understand – and painful to realize – how deeply lost our nation is, and the speed at which it occurred.

Yet, we understand that the president was legitimately chosen. Even after his highly troubling first term and following the warnings linked to the awareness of the conservative plan – even after Trump himself said publicly he would be a dictator just on day one – enough Americans chose him rather than the other candidate.

As terrifying as the present situation are, it’s even scarier to recognize that we’re only several months into this administration. Where will another 36 months of this decline find us? And if that timeframe turns into something even longer, as there is nobody to restrain this president from determining that a third term is necessary, maybe for national security reasons?

Granted, all is not lost. There are midterm elections next year which might create a new governmental control, in case Democrats regain one or both houses of the legislature. There are elected officials who are attempting to apply a degree of oversight, for example representatives who are launching an investigation regarding the effort to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote three years from now could begin the path toward restoration precisely as the previous vote set us on this regrettable path.

There exist countless citizens protesting in public spaces throughout communities, like they performed in the past days in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or amid anti-war demonstrations or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the listing ship eventually was righted.

He claims he understands the indicators of that revival and observes it occurring at present. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, bipartisan pushback regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal defiance by media to agree to government requirements they report only what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant always remains inactive until certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, specific cruelty so loud, that he has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may prove to be right.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries endure: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its position globally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts suggests that the final scenario is accurate; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, nevertheless, advises me that we must try, through all methods possible.

In my case, as a media critic, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more thoroughly, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For others, it may be participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we were in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The reality is, we don’t know. Our sole course is try to not give up.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The contact I experience with students with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always