Sometimes, the best way to find a solution is simply to redefine the problem. Start by looking at it inside out.
A Mississippi chapter of the Ku Klux Klan decided it wanted to raise awareness for their group. They decided to “Rent-a-Highway” and put up a sign with their name on it right in the middle of a predominately African American part of town. Well, obviously the people who lived there didn’t want this racist group having their logo in their town, so they hired a lawyer and went to court to try and stop the Ku Klux Klan from brazenly displaying their name on the side of the interstate. But, the Ku Klux Klan was up for the challenge. They hired their high-priced lawyer in his white linen suit. The Ku Klux Klan won the first legal battle. The local politicians got involved and took it up through the court system, but again the Ku Klux Klan prevailed based on their freedom of speech rights. But then, something happened. A young clerk in the local congressman’s office had an idea. And the same day the Ku Klux Klan put their sign next to the highway, the town changed the name of the Interstate to the “Rosa Parks Highway.” For the duration of their year-long contract with the state, the Ku Klux Klan was responsible for cleaning up the garbage along the Rosa Parks Highway. It’s an example of thinking sideways. And a good way to go about solving problems that seem unanswerable head on.
