On October 20th, the American Democracy Project held a screening of the documentary “Inequality For All”. This film provides an interesting take on ways in which the American Economy impacts its middle-class citizens. Best-selling author, former Clinton cabinet member, and professor- Robert Reich- illuminates how the massive income gap has a calamitous effect on the American Economy. The film follows Reich’s personal struggles in his quest to overcome adversity, as well as his desire to provide a voice for the voiceless. Reich explains how the consolidation of wealth among a select few members of society, threatens the destruction of the American workforce, as well as the overall foundation for democracy.
Vivian Agnew, a student co-coordinator for the American Democracy Project, had a lot to say about why she felt this film was a good choice to show to college students. “Well, a lot of the conversation we see looking at governments today, at both the federal and state levels, concern things like wealth inequality, and what we can do- or our politicians can do to fix it. This especially affects college students who are pursuing careers in what is really looking like a market that might be stacked against them. Especially, when we take into account things like student debt.”
Agnew added that students here at Fort Hays State University can relate the experiences of wage inequality they witness in the documentary, and compare them to their own lives. She hopes this will inspire students to find ways to affect meaningful change in our community.
The main thing that the American Democracy Project wants students who attended this event to walk away with is to spark a conversation on campus. “Students sharing the information this film gets them- and having those ideas challenged- will help to refine students’ perspectives so that they can help effect real change in the future.”