The Tragic Shift Only 12 Months Has Caused in the US

Twelve months back, the environment was completely distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge America's serious imperfections – its inequities and disparity – yet they still could perceive it as America. A democratic nation. A country where the rule of law held significance. A nation guided by a dignified and upright leader, even with his older age and growing weakness.

These days, this autumn, many of us scarcely know the land we reside in. People alleged as undocumented migrants are rounded up and forced into transport, sometimes denied due process. The eastern section of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque ballroom. Donald Trump is targeting his opponents or supposed enemies and demanding the justice department transfer a huge total of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are deployed into American cities under fabricated reasons. The military command, rebranded the War Department, has practically rid itself of routine media oversight as it spends what could amount to close to a trillion USD from citizen taxes. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like nobility.

“The United States, shortly prior to its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the edge into autocracy and fascism,” a noted author, stated this past summer. “In the end, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen in America.”

Each day begins to new horrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how severely declined we have become, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

However, we understand that Trump was properly voted in. Even after his deeply disturbing initial presidency and following the alerts linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – even after the leader directly said publicly he would rule as a tyrant just on day one – enough Americans elected him rather than Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as today's circumstances is, it’s even scarier to realize that we’re only several months into this presidential term. What will another 36 months of this decline find us? And what if that period becomes a more extended duration, since there is no one to restrain this ruler from deciding that a third term is necessary, maybe for security concerns?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. We will have legislative votes next year which might create a new governmental control, if Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There exist government representatives who are striving to apply a degree of oversight, for example Democratic congressmen who are launching an investigation into the attempted fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in the next cycle could start our journey to healing just as last year’s election placed us on this regrettable path.

There are countless citizens protesting in the streets across municipalities, as they did in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the US is awakening”, just as it did post-McCarthyism during the fifties or throughout the sixties activism or during the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that resurgence and sees it happening now. As support, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition to a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to sign the defense department’s demands they report only authorized information.

“The sleeping giant always remains inactive before specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so loud, that it is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the big questions persist: will the nation ever recover? Can it reclaim its position globally and its devotion to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be finished. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, advises me that we must try, in whatever ways available.

Personally, as a media critic, that means pushing media professionals to adhere, more thoroughly, to their purpose of holding power to account. For different individuals, it could mean engaging with congressional campaigns, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to defend voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we lived in a separate situation. A year from now? Or after another term? The reality is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to strive to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

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