By Narayanan Kizhumundayur
The statement “We build walls, not bridges” highlights a deep and often troubling aspect of human behaviour, especially when it comes to relationships, societies, and politics. It reflects how, instead of reaching out to connect, understand, and collaborate with others, individuals and groups often choose to isolate themselves. They construct emotional, social, and physical barriers that separate them from others, rather than building the bridges needed to foster unity, communication, and cooperation. By exploring this metaphor in emotional, societal, and global contexts, we can better understand how this tendency to “build walls” affects us and why choosing to “build bridges” is essential.
Emotional Walls: Isolation in Relationships
In our personal lives, “building walls” refers to the emotional barriers we put up to protect ourselves from hurt. When people experience pain, betrayal, or rejection, they often respond by withdrawing emotionally. They avoid deep conversations, keep others at a distance, or even shut down emotionally to shield themselves from vulnerability. While these emotional walls may offer a temporary sense of safety, they ultimately prevent people from forming meaningful, trusting relationships. Over time, these barriers can lead to loneliness, disconnection, and emotional isolation.
On the other hand, building bridges in relationships means being open, communicating honestly, and building trust with others. It requires emotional vulnerability, which can be difficult, especially after past hurts. Building bridges is about making the effort to understand the other person’s perspective, resolve conflicts, and cultivate empathy. Many people, however, choose to stay behind their emotional walls out of fear of being hurt again. Unfortunately, this leaves them feeling disconnected and prevents them from experiencing the deep connections that come with emotional openness.
Emotional resilience—the ability to bounce back after experiencing emotional pain—comes from the willingness to dismantle those walls and work towards building bridges. By doing so, people open themselves to the possibility of genuine connection, personal growth, and healing. In contrast, staying behind emotional walls may feel safer, but it leads to a life of isolation and missed opportunities for true connection with others.
Societal Walls: Segregation and Division
On a broader level, the metaphor of “building walls” applies to how societies divide themselves based on race, religion, social class, or political beliefs. These walls manifest both literally and figuratively. In some cases, societies build physical walls, such as gated communities or barriers that keep people of different backgrounds apart. In other cases, figurative walls, such as discriminatory laws, biased practices, or even the way social media platforms create echo chambers, keep people separated by reinforcing their existing beliefs and biases. These walls foster division, fear, and prejudice.
When societies choose to build walls, they become fragmented, with different groups living in isolation from one another. This kind of segregation fuels misunderstanding, hatred, and hostility toward those who are perceived as “other.” As a result, societies face persistent issues like racism, economic inequality, and cultural conflict, all of which are difficult to resolve without open dialogue.
Building bridges in society means promoting inclusion, diversity, and understanding. It requires making an effort to bridge the gaps between different social groups, to foster dialogue, and to create opportunities for collaboration and shared growth. A society that values connection over division recognizes that diversity is its strength and that by working together across differences, it can overcome challenges and achieve greater progress. Societies that build bridges, instead of walls, are more innovative, cohesive, and resilient in the face of challenges.
Geopolitical Walls: Nationalism and Isolationism
On a global scale, the metaphor of “building walls” takes on political and international significance. Many nations today are erecting both literal and figurative walls, driven by nationalism, fear of outsiders, and a desire to protect their national interests. We see this in the construction of physical barriers at borders, strict immigration policies, and trade restrictions. Politicians often justify these actions as necessary for national security or economic protection, but in reality, they foster isolationism and hinder global cooperation.
A well-known example of a physical wall was the Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Germany during the Cold War. It symbolized the deep ideological divide between the two sides, both of which viewed the other with suspicion and hostility. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the triumph of bridge-building over division, leading to the reunification of Germany and a more peaceful Europe.
Today, although the Berlin Wall is gone, many other physical and ideological walls remain. Fear of immigration, economic protectionism, and nationalistic policies continue to separate nations, making it difficult to cooperate on global issues like climate change, terrorism, and economic inequality. These challenges cannot be solved by isolation; they require international collaboration and shared responsibility.
Building bridges in global politics means fostering diplomacy, engaging in multilateralism, and working together to achieve common goals. The interconnected nature of today’s world means that the challenges of the 21st century—such as pandemics, climate change, and cyber security threats—cannot be addressed by any one nation alone. It is only by working together, building partnerships across borders and cultures, that nations can find sustainable solutions to these global problems.
Choosing Bridges over Walls: The Way Forward
The metaphor of building walls versus building bridges invites us to reflect on the kind of world we want to create. In every aspect of life—whether personal, societal, or global—building walls may provide a sense of safety or protection, but it comes at a cost. These walls limit connection, understanding, and cooperation. Building bridges, while more challenging, leads to stronger relationships, more inclusive societies, and a more peaceful and cooperative world.
Building bridges requires courage, effort, and a willingness to be vulnerable. It means stepping outside of our comfort zones, challenging our own biases, and making the effort to engage with others meaningfully. Though building walls may seem like the easier path, it is through the act of building bridges that we discover resilience and the strength to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
In today’s polarized and divided world, choosing to build bridges instead of walls is not only a moral choice but also a practical one. Humanity’s future depends on our ability to overcome division, work together, and build a more united and connected world.
The author is an Accountant and a freelance writer in English and Malayalam
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