I am a white American man with rural roots, and I know exactly who that “Defend your culture” ad from Homeland Security is a thirst trap for. It was directly targeting white men who think patriotism means feeding their fragilities and cruelty kinks; men who think their masculinity will be found by wearing uniforms, guns, and badges.

Fuck that.

If you think your “culture” is under attack because the world no longer revolves around your whiteness, that is not a crisis. That is an invitation to grow the fuck up.

If you really want to defend your “culture,” then get your ass involved in something that actually strengthens it. Mentor a kid who doesn’t have a father. Show up to a school board meeting and advocate for real civics education. Start a local business and pay your employees well. Learn a second language and stop being terrified of bilingual grocery stores. Volunteer at a food bank. Sit with a veteran in a hospital and listen instead of talking. Support journalists who still give a shit about truth. Raise boys who know how to feel. Heal your addictions. Apologize to your ex. Pay your taxes. Stop watching porn that degrades women.

If your heart went pitter patter when you saw that ad, then you are not a defender of anything. You are a man-boy in search of permission to act out your insecurity on someone with less power. There is zero honor in being an instrument of authoritarianism. There is no valor in terrorizing immigrants. You are not brave. You are not strong. You are a taxpayer-funded bully.