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One year ago, the environment was completely separate. Before the national election, thoughtful citizens could recognize the nation's serious imperfections – its injustices and imbalance – however they could still see it as America. A democracy. A country where legal governance meant something. A state headed by a honorable and decent leader, notwithstanding his elderly years and declining health.

These days, this autumn, countless Americans barely recognize the nation we reside in. Individuals alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition for an obscene event space. The leader is persecuting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and requesting legal authorities transfer a huge total of taxpayer money. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers on false pretexts. The military command, renamed the Defense Ministry, has practically freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn from citizen taxes. Institutions, attorney offices, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like aristocracy.

“America, just months before its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the edge into authoritarianism and extremism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “Ultimately, more quickly than I imagined possible, it did happen here.”

Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

However, we understand that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his deeply disturbing previous administration and despite the alerts linked to the awareness of the conservative plan – even after the president personally stated openly he would be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters selected him instead of the other candidate.

As terrifying as the current reality may be, it’s even scarier to realize that we are just nine months under this leadership. How will an additional three years of this decline position us? And if that timeframe transforms into something even longer, because there is no one to restrain this president from deciding that additional tenure is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. There are midterm elections the coming year which might bring a different political equilibrium, in case Democrats retake the Senate or House of the legislature. There are government representatives who are trying to apply some accountability, like Democratic congressmen currently initiating an inquiry concerning the try to fund seizure from legal authorities.

And a leadership election three years from now could initiate the path toward restoration just as the previous vote set us on this regrettable path.

We see countless citizens demonstrating in public spaces of their cities, similar to recent recently in the No Kings rallies.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the slumbering force of America is awakening”, similar to past following the Red Scare in that decade or throughout the Vietnam war protests or in the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that revival and sees it happening at present. As support, he points to the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, multi-faction opposition to a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to accept military mandates they only publish approved content.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays dormant before some venality becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful toward public welfare, some brutality so noisy, that it is forced but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status in the world and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind suggests that the second option is true; that all may indeed be lost. My hopeful heart, though, convinces me that we must try, by any means available.

Personally, as a media critic, that involves urging journalists to commit, more fully, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it could mean participating in congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or discovering methods to defend electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The reality is, we don’t know. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I have with students with young journalists, that are simultaneously visionary and grounded, {always