“Tear down this wall” were the dramatic words uttered by the late American President, Ronald Reagan, while speaking at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin in 1987.Hastily constructed in 1961 to halt the flow of people from east to west, the Berlin Wall symbolised the Cold War and the visions between the Western democracies and the communist Eastern Bloc.President Reagan aimed his remarks at the communist power structure and his words still resound as a significant moment in the struggle for freedom.Just two years later, dramatic pictures flashed worldwide would show the Wall being torn down, almost by hand, by people seeking freedom and justice after years of brutal suppression.The tearing down of that wall was a giant blow to the dictatorial communist regime and opened the door to a new age in Europe and the dismantling of what was the Soviet Union.The Berlin Wall is now history, but throughout much of the world today there are many political walls that prevent true freedom for peace-loving people, and hamper progress in the quest for decency and respect for all.There are several trouble spots around the world where dictatorial regimes are heavily embedded, and many thousands of people are suffering and dying on a daily basis, which in this modern era is almost incomprehensible.Here in Bermuda we have our own version of political walls, but unlike walls constructed with stone and cement, political walls are not easily removed. With our small population, it seems on the surface, that building a political wall would be unthinkable and a waste.Unfortunately with a history of social imbalance emanating from the period of slavery, even with hundreds of years of progress we have not fully removed the stains of racism which continue to form invisible walls that stifle what has been a path of remarkable healing.Today our multicultural and diverse society marches on, but over the years, political walls have been erected, and even though formal racism as we once knew it no longer exists, there are still too many pockets of those obsessed with divisive tactics.Maybe insufficient emphasis has been placed on ensuring transparency and accountability are supreme in matters concerning the people. Political walls only serve to deny Bermuda its full potential and prolong negative instincts that cripple social harmony.What is disturbing to many Bermudians is that our leaders seem reluctant to assert with strong authority that the days of seeing almost everything as black and white are over. There is even a school of thought that keeping divisive tactics alive could yield political benefits for some.Bermuda can show the world how working together to solve problems is better than rumbling along with bitterness and anger over differences. We all know there will always be those who simply cannot let go of the past. Of course their hands are not free to embrace the future.The upcoming general election is touching off a storm of emotions, especially over the performance of the Progressive Labour Government, who many feel has fallen too short to warrant being kept in power. Such sentiments did not flare up overnight. Bermudians have shown they do not toss a political party under the bus over a few mistakes. However it is a different story when questions over a wide range of issues remain unanswered. Trust is built on telling the truth, especially when it comes to the peoples business.Whether the One Bermuda Alliance will come riding over the hills to turn things around remains to be seen. The problems facing Bermuda are extensive, and if ever we needed a united approach it is now.Words can be powerful at times, but action speaks much louder. The real test will be whether our leaders can step outside of the political box to begin breaking down the political brick walls that divide us. When both sides can say “let’s tear down this wall”, it will be a step towards a better Bermuda.