Robert Reich’s Call to Action: A Defining Moment at Berkeley
The sun dipped behind the Campanile as thousands gathered on Sproul Plaza, their voices rising in unison. On April 17, 2025, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich took the stage at UC Berkeley, delivering a speech that blended urgency with hope—a roadmap for a nation at a crossroads. His message, What We Must Do Now, resonated far beyond the campus, sparking conversations about equity, democracy, and the future of collective action. Here’s why his words matter—and how they challenge us to rethink our roles in shaping society.
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1. Confronting Inequality: “The Fight Isn’t Over”
Reich began by grounding his speech in a stark reality: economic inequality has reached levels unseen since the Gilded Age. “The top 1% now controls more wealth than the bottom 50% combined,” he noted, citing data from the Federal Reserve. But numbers alone didn’t define his argument. Instead, Reich framed inequality as a moral failure—a system rigged against workers, students, and marginalized communities.
He criticized corporate monopolies and tax loopholes that allow billionaires to “hoard opportunity,” while everyday Americans struggle with stagnant wages and rising costs. His solution? A three-pronged approach:
– Revive antitrust laws to break up corporate giants stifling competition.
– Tax wealth, not just income, to fund universal childcare and affordable housing.
– Strengthen unions to restore bargaining power for workers.
“This isn’t about punishing success,” Reich clarified. “It’s about ensuring everyone has a fair shot.”
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2. Education as Liberation: “Invest in Minds, Not Margins”
As a professor and former policymaker, Reich reserved his sharpest critique for America’s education system. He called underfunded public schools a “national disgrace,” particularly in communities of color. “How can we preach ‘equality’ when a child’s ZIP code determines their access to resources?” he asked, drawing cheers from students holding signs like Cancel Student Debt and Teachers Deserve More.
His vision for reform included:
– Debt-free college through federal-state partnerships.
– Tripling Title I funding to support high-poverty schools.
– Prioritizing vocational training alongside traditional degrees.
Reich also emphasized the role of educators: “Teachers aren’t just instructors—they’re architects of democracy. Pay them like it.”
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3. Climate Justice: “No More Empty Promises”
Midway through his speech, Reich shifted to the climate crisis, linking environmental policy to economic justice. “Low-income neighborhoods breathe 40% more pollution than wealthy ones,” he stated, referencing a recent EPA study. “That’s not an accident—it’s exploitation.”
He urged activists to reject incrementalism, demanding:
– A Green New Deal with unionized clean-energy jobs.
– Fossil fuel divestment by universities and pension funds.
– Reparations for climate refugees displaced by corporate negligence.
“This isn’t just about saving polar bears,” he said. “It’s about saving ourselves.”
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4. Rebuilding Democracy: “Your Vote Is Power”
Perhaps the most poignant part of Reich’s address focused on threats to democracy. He condemned voter suppression laws and dark money in politics, warning, “When billionaires buy elections, the rest of us lose.” His antidote? Mobilization.
“Register. Organize. Run for office,” he urged. “Democracy isn’t a spectator sport.” He highlighted grassroots victories—like Michigan’s 2022 ballot initiative protecting abortion rights—as proof that change is possible.
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A Challenge to the Next Generation
Reich closed by addressing students directly: “You’ve been handed a world on fire. But fires can also forge something new.” He recounted Berkeley’s history of activism, from the Free Speech Movement to Black Lives Matter, reminding the crowd that progress “isn’t inevitable—it’s earned.”
As the crowd chanted This is what democracy looks like, Reich left them with a question: “What will you do now?”
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The Road Ahead
Reich’s speech wasn’t merely a list of grievances—it was a call to reclaim agency. While his policy ideas drew applause, the deeper takeaway was about mindset: solutions exist, but they require courage to enact. Whether through strikes, ballots, or community organizing, his message was clear: the time for complacency is over.
As students dispersed into the Berkeley night, the energy lingered. Some signed up for voter drives; others debated policy in coffee shops. Reich’s words had done more than inform—they ignited a spark. Now, the question is how that spark becomes a movement.
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Cover image credit: UC Berkeley Public Affairs
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