David Brooks’ recent op-ed on the “diploma divide” strikes a chord. I’ve seen both sides of this divide up close: born and raised in the blue-collar heart of Beaver, PA, a place that values hard work and self-reliance, but later, life took me to an East Coast boarding school, then metro NYC. I left college and carved my own way, working for myself more often than not. I’ve had highs, seen lows, and learned that the world can look starkly different depending on which side of that diploma line you’re on.

Brooks makes a strong case for what he calls “academic inequality,” where our society values one kind of skill—academic—and forgets the other, practical skills that keep the world running. Growing up, it was obvious that respect went to those who could fix things, manage businesses, or just knew how to get things done. In the big city, respect often hinges on how much you know, which letters follow your name, and which schools you’ve attended. This has created a rift, one that’s cultural, economic, and deeply personal.

The effect? People in places like Beaver, who built careers without a degree, often feel the sting of being undervalued. They see elites’ decisions—outsourcing, automation, changing energy policies—that impact their lives without including their voices. No wonder they rallied behind an outsider like Trump, who seemed to recognize their frustration with a system that demands respect for one skill set while sidelining others. Trump’s populism may be the wrong answer, but as Brooks points out, it’s asking the right question.

For Democrats to close this gap, Brooks suggests they “get out of the bubble.” This isn’t just about optics; it’s about true, meaningful engagement. Both parties would do well to remember that respect and recognition are as necessary as income and healthcare. The way forward is to bridge the divide, valuing both types of skills. As someone with a foot in each world, I can tell you, respect for both is overdue.