This afternoon, I had the extraordinary experience of seeing “The Last Class,” the brilliant film about Robert Reich’s teaching career and retirement. I saw it at the West Newton Cinema, a few miles from Brandeis University, where I first met Reich (in 1998?) when he was teaching there and spoke at a conference I attended at the Heller School. Then, in 2002, when he was running for the Democratic nomination for Governor of MA, I successfully spearheaded a petition drive to have a Democratic caucus in my town, which had a dormant Dem Town Committee at the time. I went on to be elected a Reich delegate to the MA Dem Convention and was so disappointed when the outcome was the nomination of Shannon O’Brien.

I have been a Reich fan ever since. Interestingly, in response to a question he asks toward the beginning of the film, had I been in his class, I would have said I am pessimistic both about my own future and the future of the country (or maybe, world). But, by the end of the film, if asked, I would have to say that I am optimistic about both, because as long as we have voices such as this brilliant man, advocating for what is right and good, we must prevail. He is, IMO, the epitome of a “mensch.”

Check here to find a screening of “The Last Class” -