What Would You Say To Young People Today?

A Lesson from Prof. Robert Reich

What would you tell young people graduating today — given how much is horribly broken in our world?

Frankly, I was glad the question wasn’t addressed to me, and I was as eager as any of the roughly 200 people in the audience to hear the answer.

It was last Friday, and I was in a theater in downtown Washington, D.C. at the DC/DOX film festival, for the world premiere of my new documentary The Last Class. The film is about Robert Reich’s final semester of teaching, and the former Secretary of Labor joined the post-film Q&A (moderated expertly by MSNBC’s Ali Vitali) via video from his home in Berkeley — which meant he loomed very large on the big screen.

You can see me, Ali Vitali, and the film’s produer Heather Lofthouse on the bottom right of the screen.

We shot the movie in the spring of 2023, and needless to say, a lot has happened in the intervening two years. Directly outside the theater, the streets were being prepped for the military parade that would be held the following day.

Prof. Reich acknowledged that it was a good question—and then offered an answer that echoed what I’ve been telling my own daughters as they worry about the world they’re inheriting. 

While we can’t downplay the scale of the challenges or the dangers ahead, he said, we also have to recognize what an extraordinary time this is to come of age. A critical inflection point in history. A moment to do work that matters, to help shape what comes next, to return to the first principles of democracy.

Prof. Reich has spoken urgently and eloquently about this incredibly tragic period in American history and how the struggles we face are causing real pain and suffering for many people. But he finds hope, as I do, in the idea that the flagrant shamelessness and destructiveness of this tyrannical, corrupt, and greedy regime are fueling an era of broad resistance and reimagination. And he believes that the younger generations will be the ones to remake this country—and the broader world—because they must. And when they do, they will be driven by purpose, empathy, and justice.

I was happily reminded of Bob’s words the next day, as millions came out to protest across the country, and the much-hyped parade turned out to be an uninspiring flop. There’s nothing like throwing a birthday party for yourself with all your fancy decorations and over-the-top fanfare—and having most people decide they’d rather get together in large numbers without you. And, for good measure, shout slogans and make signs about how much they hate you.

When we made The Last Class, we had no way of knowing what the moment would be like when it was ready for release. But as I watched it for the first time with an audience—as I heard laughter in some parts and saw people moved to tears in others—I felt a deep pride in helping to showcase Prof. Reich’s message about the importance of education and how it serves as a crucible for critical thinking, leadership, and civic involvement.

All of these values are under attack by a despotic regime, and I’m grateful that filmgoers are finding the themes of the film both timely and relevant.

Another reason I wanted to make this film is that I’ve seen how movies can serve as an impetus for community. Those who gathered on that hot Friday afternoon for our screening were mostly strangers to me — and to each other — but we were there together. I was thrilled that my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews could attend. It was wonderful to see an old colleague from my Dan Rather days, and someone I knew in college who brought her father. As with many theatrical showings, it was a unique collection of human beings assembling to share an experience.

Classrooms, like movie theaters, are also places where people gather. One of the most powerful parts of The Last Class is seeing close-ups of the faces of the hundreds of young students in Prof. Reich’s classroom.

These are quite literally the leaders of the future, and it’s inspiring to see them engage with Prof. Reich and with each other. As Reich says in the film, neither education nor democracy is a spectator sport.

I’m finding these lessons everywhere I look—the importance of taking action and building movements rooted in hope and change. I’m reminded of the power of showing up in person, which is a big part of why these protests succeed. We’re social creatures, buoyed by solidarity. It’s no coincidence that those who profit by sowing division—often through technology—are aligning themselves with the autocrats.

I know many of you have bought tickets to the upcoming screenings of The Last Class. Thank you. Several shows have already sold out, and we hope to add more screenings soon. You can find the trailer and a list of showtimes and locations at: www.thelastclassfilm.com.

The film will eventually be available to watch at home, but in the meantime, I hope as many of you as possible can come out to see it in theaters. I hope it sparks a bit of momentum for community building. And I’d love to hear your thoughts after you’ve seen it.

Ultimately, I’m hopeful about the future—and that hope comes from a belief that this country and its ideals are far bigger than the small-mindedness of those who seek to destroy our rights and freedoms. America is one big classroom, where we’re learning what really matters. And together—led by the students of today—we can take up the hard, necessary work of repairing our broken union.