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One year ago, the situation was entirely distinct. Before the US presidential election, considerate residents could admit the country's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – but they still could identify it as America. A free society. A land where the rule of law meant something. A country led by a honorable and upright leader, despite his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Currently, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the country we reside in. Individuals believed to be undocumented migrants are collected and pushed into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is being torn down to build a lavish ballroom. The leader is targeting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and demanding the justice department surrender an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, renamed the Defense Ministry, has practically freed itself of routine media oversight while it uses possibly reaching close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are regarded as aristocracy.

“America, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “In the end, faster than I believed likely, it occurred here.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it's hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, we know that the leader was duly elected. Even after his deeply disturbing previous administration and even after the alerts that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – despite Trump himself declared plainly he planned to act as an autocrat just on day one – a majority of citizens chose him instead of his Democratic opponent.

As terrifying as the current reality may be, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this downfall find us? And what if that timeframe transforms into something even longer, because there is not anyone to limit this leader from deciding that another term is necessary, maybe for security concerns?

Granted, all is not lost. We will have congressional elections the coming year that may bring a different balance of power, if Democrats retake the Senate or House of parliament. We have elected officials who are striving to impose certain responsibility, for example representatives that are starting a probe regarding the effort to cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could start our journey to recovery precisely as last year’s election set us on this unfortunate course.

We see countless citizens protesting in urban areas throughout communities, like they performed recently in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, commented this week that “the dormant powerhouse of America is rising”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or throughout the sixties activism or throughout the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

Reich says he understands the indicators of that revival and sees it happening currently. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the broad, multi-faction opposition against a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous defiance by media to accept the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays dormant till specific greed becomes so noxious, some action so offensive toward public welfare, certain violence so noisy, that it has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value his knowledgeable stance. Possibly he may be validated.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its standing internationally and its devotion to constitutional order?

Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the final scenario is correct; that all may indeed be gone. My optimistic spirit, though, convinces me that we must try, through all methods possible.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it might involve participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or discovering methods to protect electoral access.

Not even one year prior, we existed in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to attempt to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I encounter with students with new media professionals, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always