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One year ago, the environment was entirely separate. Ahead of the national election, considerate citizens could admit the country's serious imperfections – its inequities and disparity – but they still could identify it as America. A democracy. A land where constitutional order held significance. A country led by a dignified and upright public servant, even with his older age and declining health.

Currently, this autumn, many of us scarcely know the nation we reside in. Individuals alleged as unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and forced into vans, sometimes denied due process. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and demanding legal authorities hand over a huge total of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are deployed to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, rebranded the Department of War, has effectively rid itself of regular press examination as it spends what could amount to nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Universities, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are handled as nobility.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the brink toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, stated in August. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen in this country.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost our nation is, and how quickly it has happened.

Yet, we understand that Trump was duly elected. Despite his deeply disturbing initial presidency and following the cautions that came with the knowledge of the conservative plan – following the president personally stated openly he planned to act as an autocrat only on the first day – enough Americans elected him rather than the other candidate.

Frightening as today's circumstances are, it’s even scarier to recognize that we are just three-quarters of a year under this leadership. How will three more years of this downfall position us? And what if the three years turns into an prolonged era, as there is nobody to stop this leader from deciding that a third term is essential, possibly for national security reasons?

Certainly, there is still hope. There will be midterm elections the coming year that may establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats recapture one or both houses of Congress. There exist public servants who are attempting to apply certain responsibility, for example lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election three years from now could initiate our journey toward restoration precisely as the previous vote set us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see numerous residents marching in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of America is awakening”, similar to past after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid anti-war demonstrations or in the seventies crisis.

On those occasions, the tilting vessel ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he recognizes the signs of that revival and observes it occurring now. As support, he cites the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition to a personality's dismissal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to accept military mandates they report only what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity always remains dormant before certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so contemptuous of societal benefit, certain violence so noisy, that the giant is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the major inquiries remain: will the nation ever recover? Can it reclaim its position globally and its adherence to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is true; that everything could be lost. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we must try, by any means we can.

Personally, as a media critic, that means encouraging reporters to commit, more thoroughly, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For different individuals, it could mean working on political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to safeguard ballot privileges.

Under twelve months back, we existed in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The reality is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to strive to not give up.

What Offers Me Hope Now

The contact I experience with students with new media professionals, that are simultaneously visionary and realistic, {always