Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore spoke Friday night about students as a force for public good, touching on the Occupy Wall Street movement, college debt, American foreign policy and his endeavors prior to his filmmaking career.
The talk, organized by the Stanford Speakers Bureau, took place in the new Knight Management Center’s CEMEX Auditorium.
Moore began by addressing the Occupy Wall Street protests, which he praised for being an organic movement that would help reshape the country’s social and economic landscape for the better.
“Until we get control of Wall Street, we’ll be saddled by problem after problem,” he said.
Event organizers also noted the relevance of the nationwide Occupy protests to students at Stanford.
“The nation generally and the school more specifically have definitely been thinking about the Occupy movement more recently,” said Co-Director of the Speakers Bureau Rahul Sastry ’12. “And I think there are few people who can speak to the nation’s anger better than Michael Moore on this topic.”
Moore contrasted the current state of labor rights and the economy in America to those of yesteryear, saying that he was hopeful about the current generation.
“You probably don’t know that your generation has almost ended bigotry and racism,” Moore said. “The previous generation set up a bad system.”
However, he also expressed concern that students at Stanford and other elite universities are often drawn to high-powered jobs that hurt American society. Backstage, he said that it is understandable that some Stanford students are motivated by greed.
“They see nothing but dollars paving the path in their futures,” he said. “Why would anyone want to give that up? The seduction has already started to take place just by being a student at Stanford. You begin to believe that you’re the chosen ones.”
This was the attitude that Moore hoped to address during his talk.
“It’s kind of like missionary work,” he said. “I realize I’m talking to some of the future people who are going to mess with peoples’ lives just so they can make a buck. So if one or two tonight will go back and think a little bit, that made it worth coming here.”
After the talk, students, some dressed in their Halloween costumes, lined up at the two microphones in the aisles to ask Moore questions. Many of those present, including ASSU Vice President Stewart Macgregor-Dennis ’13, were concerned about getting their peers more politically aware and active. Moore said in response that students cannot be forced to be more engaged.
Moore concluded his visit by reading an excerpt from his newly released book “Here Comes Trouble” and then hosting a book signing.
The majority of the over-400-person audience, comprised of undergraduates, graduate students and community members, who spoke to The Daily responded positively to Moore’s talk.
“I think that Michael Moore and the way that he speaks his mind–so openly and without hesitation–is so inspiring. I wanted to hear what he had to say,” said Casey Khademi ’14, to whom Moore pledged $500 for equipment for her documentary on the LGBT community.
“We’re likely going to be those students who are going into the high-powered jobs,” said Camil Diaz ’13. “But if we can be a group of people who are very politically conscious–morally responsible–I think there’s potential for great change there.”
Funding for the Moore’s talk, as well as other Stanford Speakers Bureau events, comes from ASSU special fees.