With her always handy camera, Avery captures all the hottest happenings in Portland.
March 03, 2009
Fading graffiti of history
When the Berlin Wall came tumbling down in 1989, portions of it were distributed to locales around the world to serve as memorials to the Cold War and symbols of democracy's triumph over totalitarianism. Portland was one of the cities that received a portion of the wall and you can find it on Long Wharf, just behind the Gorham Savings Bank and in front of DiMillo's.
Germany's notoriously graffiti covered wall was erected in 1961 and during the following 28 years became the site of numerous killings, as residents of Communist East Berlin attempted to jump the wall and flee into West Berlin. Bullets quickly put an end to their escape.
Today, the writing on Portland's portion of the wall is faded and worn. But it still serves as a reminder of the folly of building walls rather than bridges and offers hope that peace and freedom can prevail in a world full of fear.
Comments
Nice job, Avery. Looks like that wall is still dividing people decades after falling. I'll look for it next time I'm in Portland.
Posted by LarryMarch 3, 2009 07:02 PM
Larry, I don't think the wall is dividing us, I think it is the fact that your bridge leads somewhere I don't want to go.
Posted by Disappointed in LarryMarch 4, 2009 12:16 AM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Elaina
http://www.craigslistpostingtools.info
March 4, 2009 04:03 AM
I think this article is great. The Berlin Wall literally separated people in the 60's and just looking at a picture of a piece of the wall is separating the readers of this article. That's irony at it's best!
Posted by Disappointed Jonathan who is disappointed in larry because he is disappointed with the authorMarch 4, 2009 10:09 AM
Wow, I had no idea there was a piece of it in Maine. A good reminder, regardless of your politics.
March 4, 2009 10:44 AM
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The author could not be more wrong. What the Berlin Wall reminds us is that communism, socialism, and political and religious oppression do not work. I fear that she and others have fallen for the Obama masquerade - he claims to be building bridges when he is clearly oppressing and denigrating opposition while promoting a government takeover of vast sectors of the economy.
Posted by Disappointed in Maine TodayMarch 3, 2009 03:51 PM