The Wall Came Tumbling Down

Today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Much like most foreign geopolitical events of the 1980s, I don't really have concrete memories of "where I was when it happened", but have vague recollections of various moments throughout the chain of events.

It was only years later that I first discovered quite possibly the most earth-shattering of footage from the time. There are few moments in the annals of history that so perfectly capture, and I can't think of how else to phrase this, "what I like", better than the video below.

The most significant of geopolitical news. Large, jubilant crowds. Barriers, whether physical or mental, being broken down to allow people to again remember our common humanity. Music and performance. One man, wearing a jacket made for a god, singing to the people about their quest for human freedom.

If we can only weave this absurdity into the tapestry of the history we record, we will eternally prove our generation worthy of 4.75 stars.

One morning in june some twenty years ago

I was born a rich man's son
I had everything that money could buy
But freedom - I had none

I've been lookin' for freedom
I've been lookin' so long
I've been lookin' for freedom
Still the search goes on
I've been lookin' for freedom
Since I left my home town
I've been lookin' for freedom
Still it can't be found

I headed down the track, my baggage on my back
I left the city far behind
Walkin' down the road, with my heavy load
Tryin' to find some peace of mind
Father said you'll be sorry, son,
If you leave your home this way
And when you realize the freedom money buys
You'll come running home some day

I paid a lotta dues, had plenty to lose
Travelling across the land
Worked on a farm, got some muscle in my arm
But still I'm not a self-made man
I'll be on the run for many years to come
I'll be searching door to door
But, given some time, some day I'm gonna find
The freedom I've been searchin' for