In today’s world, hostility is the norm. It’s in our politics where candidates insult each other on debate stages; it’s in our social media filled with negativity and arguments; and it’s in our interactions that put conflict over connections.
So, in this world where adversarial attitudes reign and pessimism is normalized, critical thinking and consideration of opposing perspectives are the only way we can move forward and protect the youth’s future.
One example of a work that confronts this problem is “The Last Class.”
Walking into the theater, I was unaware of the valuable themes this film would explore beyond its main story.
“The Last Class” follows Professor Robert Reich, labor secretary from 1993 to 1997, as he moves through his final year of teaching.
After 40 years of teaching at institutions such as Harvard and Berkeley, Reich faces the difficulties of ending a long and beloved career.
But there’s much more to this film than Reich’s remarkable story.
In teaching “Wealth and Poverty,” Reich observed the perspectives of younger generations as problems like wealth disparity and the decline of social mobility prevailed.
More than 46% of Gen Z (ages 18 to 27) rely on financial assistance, according to research from Bank of America, and another 52% said they don’t make enough money to live the life they want.
Our economy isn’t what it was when our parents were young. The opportunities, successes and growth they had are no longer available.
Even within the last 10 years, the average costs of college tuition and fees have increased by 93%, according to the Education Data Initiative, and housing costs have increased by more than 40%, as reported by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Essentials like housing and education being out of reach for many people should be alarming. These basic rights are being violated daily because of an overwhelming inability to conduct meaningful conversations.
Every time I hear about a political event in the news, it’s almost always because the two parties can’t come to an agreement. So many of our problems are present because our leaders don’t know how to speak to each other, and this is showing up in all areas of life.
Right now, more than 42 million people’s ability to eat is at risk of being restricted, all because the parties in our government cannot reach a compromise.
This complete dedication to their own goals without considering the detriment to their constituents is a prime example of the damage this adversarial culture and its inability to negotiate produce.
One way to overcome this problem would be to understand the perspective of others though open, peaceful discussions.
These conversations should not just be passing comments or dismissals of the other’s opinions just because they don’t align with yours but talking to each other and recognizing other views.
The themes of “The Last Class,” those of open deliberation and the impact on the youth’s future, were sobering and hopeful for me as a young person newly introduced to the realities of the workforce. But Reich’s message stuck: have the uncomfortable conversations that are so rare but so crucial in our modern world — because if we don’t, nothing is going to improve.