Seemingly, it looks like we stray farther from normal society towards a distorted and unfamiliar civilization that is reminiscent of dystopian books. Novels such as “1984” (1949), “Fahrenheit 451” (1953), “Animal Farm” (1945), and “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1985) used to seem so extreme and exaggerated to the point that they could never, ever happen. Displaying a society that was corrupt, wicked, and vile, it was easy to disassociate with such stories because, well, that was what they were: Stories. Fictitious. Something that could never happen. Right?
Well, fast forward to 2026, and I am not so sure. With all the recent news making headlines, it is becoming more and more difficult to recognize this place as America. Despite originally being the land of the free, freedom seems to be now a luxury awarded only to a few, while the rest fight and struggle to live.
A woman’s body is no longer her own. In 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark case, Roe v. Wade, 13 states have officially banned women from being able to receive an abortion, with limited exceptions to the restriction. And if a doctor or a woman patient breaks this law, then she can receive a harsh punishment, including imprisonment or hefty fines, depending on the state law. And if you’re thinking, “What if someone was raped, or what if the baby was conceived in incest?” Don’t think those are limited exceptions, as in most states, they are not universal exceptions.
And can we please talk about how we have a system that protects perpetrators instead of victims? To reference the files (THOSE FILES), people in government were documented to be perpetrators of such heinous acts, but still hold their power because of who they are and their influence. Forget all of the pain, suffering, and trauma they have caused to their victims. If they are rich, influential, and powerful, then our system does nothing to protect the public.
And that’s the world we live in today. Aren’t you proud to be an American? I’m not.
