This summer has been defined by striking news headlines, all with recent updates on the state of the United States. The Washington, D.C., National Guard deployment in the city, gerrymandering wars between Democratic and Republican lawmakers or even the overwhelming One Big Beautiful Bill have all sparked apprehensive debate. 

I have found it increasingly strenuous to disregard this newly emerging political reality. Abhorrent rhetoric by politicians, identity-based hostility and societal alienation are spiraling out of control from the waves of fear stemming from President Donald Trump’s administration. 

This is not the America we dreamed of. A nation that promised equal opportunities for all — regardless of skin color or identity — through the infamous notion of the American Dream, in reality alienates all who are deemed “outsiders.” With this, fear is spreading and redefining how we, as humans, view one another.

The mere concept of the American Dream, as described by the Oxford English Dictionary, highlights the ideal that “every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” This definition reaffirms immigrant optimism for a new chapter in America, a land that prioritizes opportunity and equality.

Yet, Trump’s presidency has catalyzed a chain of events, instilling widespread fear with consequences that contradict this definition of the American Dream. In Los Angeles, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that began in June have fractured communities, leaving many wondering about their fates at the hands of the Trump administration.

According to the Los Angeles Times, ICE arrested over 2,000 individuals across seven Southern California counties in June, with some U.S. citizens being detained despite holding proper documentation. Legal citizens are now inhibited from achieving their goals and fulfilling their American Dreams. These actions only reiterate the message: In our American reality, diversity is penalized and seen as a critical motivation for arrests more than direct criminal behavior. 

I dream of a day when I can feel the same pride for my country I held growing up. In elementary school, renditions of “This Land Is Your Land” utilized inclusive lyrics such as “this land was made for you and me” to underscore the diverse atmosphere of our country to all global citizens. As the daughter of Asian immigrants, I felt accepted by the patriotic diction and consistent strive towards egalitarianism. Yet today, what once felt like an exhibition of loyalty is now a disheartening realization that my country is heading in the opposite direction.

If the American reality under the Trump administration catalyzes widespread fear, we must learn to redefine our responses to comparable threats to defend future generations. Democratic lawmakers in Texas, for example, are defying Republican efforts to acquire unjust control of Congress. Thirteen Democratic lawmakers are risking their political careers by opposing Gov. Greg Abbott and proposals for political gerrymandering that are detrimental to equitable representation. Through a refusal to appear in the legislature, Texan representatives are averting this proposal, demonstrating that action is compulsory in these apprehensive times.

Meanwhile, in California, despite Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts in states such as Texas, Gov. Gavin Newsom has reiterated his commitment to stand firm. His plan includes retaliation with mid-decade redistricting efforts in California, showing his opposition to political injustice. However, these politicians cannot lead alone; mass support of democratic liberties must follow in a crisis such as this to demonstrate to the world our commitment to freedom.

There is still hope to abide by the true promise of America: one defined by success through determination and equal opportunity for all. I encourage every USC student to engage with advocacy groups in the Los Angeles community, focusing on the need for inclusive citizenship. We must mobilize and hold leaders accountable to the American qualities they claim to represent. 

There is no justification for ignorance; ultimately, our country is a figurehead for diversity and equality, and we must further collective participation in sociopolitical matters. Democracy cannot be undermined by the existence of fear; thus, we must redefine the promise of America to protect our free nation.