Too Many Bricks In the Wall

The High Cost of Public Education

Most of us know the epic song by Pink Floyd, “Another Brick In The Wall.” Until recently, I had a sense of the meaning of the lyrics but not the crystal-clear understanding I know today.

The song embeds itself in my soul, reflecting my lifelong disdain for public school that began on my first day of Kindergarten; I distinctly remember resisting attending school that first day. I don’t know why. Perhaps I wanted to stay home with mommy and play. But the dose of whoop-ass I got when I resisted rendered my resistance futile.

Eventually, my parents saw the same light; if they kept their three kids in public schools, we would likely become bricks in a wall. Because of this, and being the firstborn, my parents enrolled me in a private school for tenth grade. They did the same for my sister and brother. The difference between the public school and private school experience was, and still is, massive.

Few of us know the difference, and I’m eternally grateful to my loving parents for doing their best to educate their children.

Another Brick In The Wall Lyrics

We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone