I grew up in an average working class American home. My parents, who never had the opportunity to finish high school, really valued the public education of their six children. They taught us honesty and a solid work ethic. In high school, I was an honor roll student as well as a class officer, varsity athlete, and achieved an Eagle Scout distinction. I was born curious, so each of these experiences was an opportunity to look deeper and often ask more questions than my contemporaries. Sometimes the questioning made my elders, teachers, and leaders a little uncomfortable.
I didn’t know at the time that I was using what is now referred to as “critical thinking.” Oxford Languages defines critical thinking as “the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.” For me, this involved asking a lot of questions from current and historic sources, then measuring the answers against some internalized system of accuracy or truth. I often didn’t accept superficial information as enough to make good decisions upon which to base my life. Sometimes this really upset adults who were brought to the brink of their knowledge and/or beliefs by my questions. I always asked in an attempt to understand, not challenge. But my need to understand at a deeper level seemed to threaten some.
I use critical thinking to understand most sides of an issue. It helps me form opinions and actions based on accurate facts as best as I can find them. My love of America is based on what President Ronald Reagan called the “shining city on a hill” as a symbol of freedom and prosperity. I am also aware that the “hill” used to belong to indigenous Native peoples, and the “city” was built by hardworking immigrants and slave labor. My knowledge and belief in complete American history has now become defined as “anti-American” in the current society, where “American exceptionalism” is elevated and less glorious events are hidden and erased.
I made my way in the working world as a self-employed person participating in a capitalistic economy. I needed to make profits to provide for myself and my family. I know how capitalism is supposed to work for the benefit of all society, but I am also aware of the immense greed being displayed by a privileged few. The advantageous economic loopholes and financial laws available to very few bleed prosperity and opportunity from many citizens. Drawing attention to this greed and calling for equity is now defined as “anti-capitalism” and “anti-American.”
My early home life was Christian-based. We attended a large Lutheran church every Sunday. Dad was a church elder, and Mom was president of the Ladies Aid Society. I sang in the church choir and became an officer in our Youth League. I became interested in the history of Christianity beyond the teachings of Christ. The written history of the Christian church’s expansion around the world is in sharp contrast to the teachings of Christ. The current and historical brutality, enslavement, and murder of non-Christians around the world makes me very cautious to engage a modern Christian church, Evangelicals, and Christian Nationalists. My criticism of what Christians have done in the name of salvation makes me appear “anti-Christian.”
In my title, I say “They” are talking about me. The following is a partial quote of the NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7. Read it carefully for the underlying bias against critical thinking (which is being attacked in public education) and any opposition to current authoritarian administrations.
“…conduct include anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality. As described in the Order of September 22, 2025 (Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization), the groups and entities that perpetuate this extremism…”
The term “antifa” is a political term simply meaning “against fascism.” During World War II, most Americans were against fascism. Our country fought and won against Hitler, Mussolini, and Franco, all fascist rulers who started that war. Under President Trump’s NSPM-7 being against fascism is now declared “domestic terrorism.” Antifa has no organization, leadership, or structure in the United States. That means the current Administration can define any individual or organization that opposes their agenda as antifa and therefore domestic terrorists. This is a threat to me and anyone else using critical thinking or contributing in any way to causes deemed in opposition to current authoritarian agendas, such as defunding education, healthcare, and food programs while ignoring constitutional checks and balances and the rule of law. Supporting the civil rights of Americans “othered” by “traditional American views on family, religion, and morality” is declared a crime of “domestic terrorism.” Freedom of speech and expression is now suspect under NSPM-7.
I am a family man and a retired building contractor who has sat on several boards of directors, served in social service organizations, and have a deeply developed spiritual morality. I make up my own mind using moral judgment based on lived experience and depth of information on a variety of subjects. I am a well-loved citizen of the United States. And yet, I see myself in this heinous NSPM-7 definition of domestic terrorism. If you are a typical American citizen who thinks past the superficial drivel we are fed daily under the current chaos, you might find yourself in this presidential memorandum also. If you support in any way immigrant organizations, LGBTQ organizations, women’s rights, or any religion other than Christianity, you too might find yourself in this new definition of antifa.
It is my understanding that the US legal system has no specific federal crime with the title of “domestic terrorism”. In addition, the American president has the authority to designate a foreign terrorist organization, but has no legal authority to formally designate “domestic terrorist organizations.” This fact makes President Trump’s NSPM-7 basically unenforceable, making its greatest impact to chill dissent and increase the widening gap between “them” and “us.”
It is imperative that we, as free citizens, keep our dissent warm and build humanitarian bridges over these uncivil gaps.
