Thank you for taking the time to share your story, I enjoyed reading your experiences.
My path is similar but different (not in the US). My father taught me to question everything even if the person saying it was one of authority. He encouraged me to think for myself and allowed me the space to do so. He isn’t a reader but made sure I fell in love with books and then encouraged me to read widely and apply the “trust no one” mindset he instilled in me. I thought I was normal but I was wrong 😂 I was always an outlier.
But because this was my upbringing I assumed everybody did this, question review research think. Again I was wrong.
I grew up in Africa where we were highly propagandised that Apartheid was the only answer- except in my house with my unusual father who didn’t believe anyone in the media or government
Now I read loads and apply the principles I learned and am grateful to be able to see the wood for the trees.
I’m just not sure how to share this with others so that they may also get it. I’ve tried to say “have you thought about it?” “Does it make sense and add up?” Did you research that yourself? And then the inevitable “you’re crazy, you’re a conspiracy theorist “ blah blah blah “this or that is how we’ve been taught why should we believe you?”