Dear Editor:

What are the lessons to remember from the many walls in world history?

Lately we are hearing the loud and frequent trumpeter: “Build walls to protect our borders.” Are the world’s borders safe when walls are built, or should we drop the trumpet and find more effective solutions?

It certainly appears that candidates want us to believe that walls — high walls, tunnel walls, prison walls, and beautiful walls — are the solution to inflowing refugees fleeing from dangers.

History teaches that initially walls were intended to define mankind’s territory by differentiating himself from his neighbors. Hadrian’s Wall in England and the Great Wall of China are examples of how ancient man kept people and cultures separated. Are we still in ancient times?

In America, there are whole developments that form a city within a city by the use of a wall that encircles, and a gate that allows homeowners and friends in and out of the private enclave. Where this is prevalent for the wealthier families; backyard fences are also seen as another way to define what is yours. Yet, when I arrived in Massachusetts, there were no fences, only shared land with bushes and trees. Living in rural Maine also has lines on a survey map that define borders. Freedom does not survive with walls and historic Fort Walls and the Berlin Wall only served as targets or obstacles to overcome. Global trade between countries reduced the desirability for walls and increased the mingling and merging of cultures. It’s tough to imagine that global corporations would want walls of separation. Governments like Canada have already given a thumbs down when it was suggested by Scott Walker.

Porous borders are how the modern world has been innovating and increasing the wealth of those with powerful interests, including CEOs of global corporations. Do we want to live in a walled-in country? Is that our picture of freedom trails? Are we bereft of ideas and solutions for asylum seekers What has happened to the American dream of freedom without walls?

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb