Campus Connection

An award-winning documentary about income inequality in the U.S. — and how it has shaped the country’s economy and democracy — will be shown at UW-La Crosse. “Inequality for All” will run at 6 and 9 p.m. Friday, April 11, in 1400 Centennial Hall. UW-L Economics Professor TJ Brooks will lead discussion following the 6 p.m. showing. The documentary follows Robert Reich, former U.S. Labor Secretary, as he raises awareness of the widening economic gap in the U.S. Reich, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time magazine named him one of the 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the 20th century. He has written 13 books, including the best sellers “Aftershock” and “The Work of Nations.” He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine and chairman of Common Cause. The film argues that the American economy is in crisis, pointing out economic imbalances that are near historically unprecedented levels. It explains that the two years of widest economic inequality of the last century were 1928 and 2007 – the two years just before the greatest economic crashes of modern times. The film reveals how middle class incomes have stagnated or dropped over the same period during which the American economy has more than doubled. In 1970 the top 1 percent of earners took home 9 percent of the nation’s income. Today, they take in approximately 23 percent. The top 1 percent holds more than 35 percent of the nation’s overall wealth, while the bottom 50 percent controls 2.5 percent. The last time wealth was this concentrated was in 1928, just before the Great Depression. While not vilifying the rich, the documentary argues that wide income divisions threaten the health of the U.S. economy and democracy. Watch a trailer about “Inequality For All." The showings are free and part of Money Smart Week. They are sponsored by It Make$ Cents! (UW-L’s Financial Literacy Program) and Campus Activity Board. Those attending should RSVP online. If you go — What: Documentary: “Inequality for All” When: 6 and 9 p.m. Friday, April 11. UW-L Economics Professor TJ Brooks will lead discussion following the 6 p.m. showing. Where: 1400 Centennial Hall, UW-La Crosse Admission: Free