Another Brick In The Wall, Revisited

On this date, one decade ago, I graduated from high school.

Young, optimistic and determined to make a difference in the world of politics, I was riding high.

In my co-valedictorian speech, I referenced Pink Floyd’s “ Another Brick In The Wall.” I implored the audience to not merely be ‘another brick’, a cog in the machine, pushing people down in favor of mindless rules.

I asked them to not forget their community as they went out into the world and made a name for themselves.

I had grand goals for myself- graduate from Lawrence University, go to a top tier law school, become an U.S. Representative in my mid twenties and a Senator in my early thirties.

My future became a montage reel of highlights in my head.

Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out that way. I struggled massively, far beyond what I expected, with my own values, expectations and demons.

Alienation crept in. My political dreams transformed into disconnectedness from society. Like Roger Waters, I constructed a wall around myself and let very few people in.

Life sure is ironic, isn’t it?

A decade removed from that day, I return to bricks and walls.

As I emerge from my self-imposed wall, I realize that my experience is not unique.

Walls are being constructed all the time, for a variety of purposes.

Segments of American society have been frantically building walls to keep out unwanted and different ideas for a long time ago. Verbal bricks are being thrown every minute, every hour to silence those who disagree.

Others who struggle with mental and emotional demons construct walls to protect themselves and more often, others, from their trauma. They suffer behind these barriers, unable to communicate what they feel.

Now more than ever, we need people to dismantle these intellectual, emotional and mental walls. Don’t be another brick in the layers of polarization, partisanship, craziness, judgement and alienation.

We should be bricks in a different kind of structure. In our own, individual, small way, we can bring our families, friends and communities together.

We can use them to build bridges and connect people, ending the separation of walls.

I ask all of you: Build bridges in politics, mental health or somewhere else where they are needed.

Our world has too many walls. We need more bridges.

Thankfully, we can reuse some of the many bricks lying around.

Can’t we?

Originally published at https://theprimacyofpolitics.blogspot.com.