Critical Thinking? You Think Too Much!

Educational theorists argue whether critical thinking can be taught or not. I can tell you this, whether or not it is something that can be taught, I know it can be devalued and if it is innate, it can be suppressed. I spent much of my life, probably until about 26 years old or later filtering my decisions and ideas through the lens of what other people thought. I think valuing and owning your own thoughts and ideas sometimes comes through an emancipation process; realizing you are an autonomous person subjugated and inundated by family,media,opinions, history, context, and fear. I feel like I have become emancipated, but am I really free?