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Twelve months back, the landscape was utterly separate. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its inequities and disparity – but they still could identify it as America. A democracy. A country where the rule of law held significance. A nation headed by a dignified and decent leader, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Nowadays, this autumn, numerous citizens barely recognize the land we inhabit. Persons alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The East Wing of the White House – is being torn down for an obscene dance hall. The leader is harassing his opponents or supposed enemies and insisting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are deployed across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, renamed the Defense Ministry, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination as it spends what could amount to almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Colleges, attorney offices, journalism organizations are buckling under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are regarded as nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the limit into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, wrote this past summer. “In the end, more quickly than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it's challenging to understand – and painful to realize – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, we know that the president was properly voted in. Even after his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the warnings linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – even after the president personally stated openly he would be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters selected him rather than his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as today's circumstances may be, it’s even scarier to understand that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this administration. How will another 36 months of this deterioration leave us? And if the three years turns into a more extended duration, because there is not anyone to stop this leader from determining that another term is essential, perhaps for defense purposes?

Admittedly, all is not lost. We will have legislative votes next year which might create a new political equilibrium, should Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There are elected officials who are trying to exert a degree of oversight, such as representatives currently launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure from legal authorities.

And a national vote three years from now could begin the path toward restoration just as last year’s election put us on this unfortunate course.

There exist numerous residents marching in urban areas throughout communities, like they performed last weekend during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of the nation is awakening”, similar to past post-McCarthyism in the 1950s or throughout anti-war demonstrations or during the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the listing ship eventually was righted.

The author states he understands the indicators of that resurgence and sees it happening at present. As evidence, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, cross-party resistance to a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they report only approved content.

“The dormant force perpetually exists inactive before some venality becomes so noxious, some action so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so disruptive, that he is forced but to awaken.”

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

In the meantime, the big questions remain: will the nation return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its standing globally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the second option is accurate; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, nevertheless, advises me that we need to strive, through all methods we can.

For me, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve working on political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to protect voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a very different place. In the future? Or three years from now? The reality is, we are uncertain. The only option is to attempt to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The interaction I experience in the classroom with new media professionals, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always