The Wall in the Head

I have heard Lynsey Hanley spoke at the recent Public Health Conference in Brighton, UK late March 2009. Being brought up in a housing estate just outside Brimingham, she talked about the effect of housing on people's lives. She has written a book called Estates An intimate History where she talked about 'The Wall in the Head'. This phrase was taken from the outlook of former residents of the communist GDR who canot quite get over the fact that their country was submerged with its larger, richer, more democratic neighbour. This metaphor rang true for people in disadvantaged housing estates who are confined in their heads about their existence. 'This is not for us' Lacking in aspiration for oneself and lack of expectation from others becomes a high wall for a better life. Therefore, it is important to help ourselves and others tear down these walls - to believe in what is possible and to want to brave new frontiers.