What We Must Do Now: Robert Reich’s Urgent Call at Berkeley
On a crisp spring afternoon at the University of California, Berkeley, thousands gathered on April 17, 2025, to hear former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich deliver a speech that felt less like a lecture and more like a rallying cry. The energy on Sproul Plaza—a historic site for activism—was electric, charged with the urgency of Reich’s message: “What we must do now isn’t just a choice. It’s a moral obligation.”
Reich, a longtime advocate for economic justice and a vocal critic of inequality, didn’t mince words. He opened with a stark reminder of the challenges facing younger generations: student debt, unaffordable housing, climate disasters, and a political system increasingly skewed toward corporate interests. “The American Dream isn’t just fraying,” he said. “For millions, it’s already been shredded.”
But this wasn’t a doom-and-gloom monologue. Reich’s speech pivoted swiftly to solutions, emphasizing collective action and systemic change. Let’s unpack his three core arguments—and why they resonated so deeply with the Berkeley crowd.
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1. Reversing Economic Inequality Starts With Rewriting the Rules
Reich didn’t shy away from naming the root cause of today’s crises: a decades-long shift in power from workers to corporations. He cited staggering statistics—like the fact that CEO pay has skyrocketed by 1,460% since 1978, while average worker wages have risen just 18%—as evidence of a rigged system.
His solution? A three-pronged approach:
– A Universal Basic Income (UBI): Reich argued that automation and AI will continue displacing jobs, making UBI not just a safety net but a “floor for human dignity.”
– Worker Representation on Corporate Boards: “If companies profit from their employees’ labor, those employees deserve a seat at the table,” he said, drawing cheers.
– A Wealth Tax: Targeting the ultra-rich, Reich proposed reinvesting these funds into public education, healthcare, and green infrastructure.
“This isn’t radical,” Reich insisted. “It’s a return to basic fairness.”
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2. Education as the Great Equalizer—If We Fund It
As a professor at Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, Reich reserved a portion of his speech for higher education. He lambasted the skyrocketing cost of college, calling student debt “a ball and chain on an entire generation.”
His vision for reform includes:
– Tuition-Free Public Colleges: Funded by closing tax loopholes for multinational corporations.
– Debt Cancellation: “Forgiving student debt isn’t a handout. It’s repairing a broken promise,” he said.
– Vocational Training Expansion: Reich emphasized that not every student needs a four-year degree, but everyone deserves access to skills training for emerging industries.
The crowd—a mix of students, faculty, and local activists—erupted when Reich declared, “Education shouldn’t be a privilege. It’s a public good, like clean air or safe roads.”
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3. Building a Movement That Can’t Be Ignored
Reich saved his most passionate remarks for the importance of grassroots organizing. “Politicians respond to pressure,” he said. “It’s our job to create it.” He urged the audience to:
– Vote in Every Election: “Local races shape your daily life more than presidential ones.”
– Unionize Workplaces: “There’s power in collective bargaining—ask the Starbucks baristas or Amazon warehouse workers.”
– Hold Universities Accountable: Reich praised Berkeley students for pushing the university to divest from fossil fuels but challenged them to “go further” in advocating for affordable student housing and fair labor practices.
His closing lines were met with a standing ovation: “Hope isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we build.”
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Why This Moment Matters
Reich’s speech arrived at a pivotal time. With the 2024 election still fresh in memory and the 2026 midterms approaching, his call to action felt timely. But beyond politics, the event symbolized a broader shift. Young people—burdened by crises they didn’t create—are increasingly demanding bold solutions, not incremental tweaks.
As attendees filed out of Sproul Plaza, many lingered to discuss Reich’s ideas. “He didn’t just tell us what’s wrong,” said Maya, a sophomore studying economics. “He gave us a roadmap—and the push to start driving.”
Whether Reich’s proposals gain traction remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the energy in Berkeley on April 17 wasn’t just about listening. It was about preparing to act.
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Robert Reich’s full speech is available on the UC Berkeley Public Policy YouTube channel. For updates on student-led initiatives inspired by his talk, follow @BerkeleyRising on social media.
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