Movies
One Writer Dares to Review ‘Am I Racist?’
2024-09-23
Exposing the Hypocrisy: A Revealing Look at "Am I Racist?"
In a surprising turn of events, the documentary "Am I Racist?" has managed to captivate audiences and spark a nationwide conversation, despite being largely overlooked by the mainstream media. This thought-provoking film, produced by Ben Shapiro's conservative media company The Daily Wire, has become one of the top-grossing documentaries in recent history, leaving many to wonder why it has been so widely ignored by the entertainment industry.Uncovering the Uncomfortable Truths Behind the Diversity and Inclusion Industry
Navigating the Divide: A Burbank Audience Perspective
Amidst the liberal stronghold of Burbank, California, where 70% of the voters chose Joe Biden in the 2020 election, the author ventured to the AMC 16 theater to witness the audience's reaction to "Am I Racist?". Surprisingly, the theater was not empty, as one might have expected, but rather filled with a diverse group of individuals, including an old white man, a younger white woman, and a three-generation Latinx family. The author's initial concerns about the audience's reception were quickly dispelled as the film unfolded.A Comedic Critique: Exploring the Strengths and Weaknesses of Matt Walsh's Approach
The documentary employs a Borat-style comedic approach, with podcaster Matt Walsh donning a disguise and posing as an individual on a journey to confront his own racial biases. While the film manages to elicit a few chuckles from the audience, Walsh's comedic skills are not without their limitations. The author notes that Walsh lacks the natural flair of a seasoned comedian, resulting in a mellow and even-keeled delivery that sometimes falls flat. However, the author acknowledges that what Sacha Baron Cohen does is "really hard" and that even he has struggled to consistently succeed in this genre.Exposing the Grifters: Walsh's Confrontation with Prominent DEI Experts
One of the film's strengths lies in Walsh's ability to gain access to prominent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) experts, who often end up embarrassing themselves on camera. The author highlights instances where Walsh manages to expose the financial motivations of these experts, such as getting Robin D'Angelo, the author of "White Fragility," to give his Black cohort $30 out of her wallet as reparations, and revealing the substantial fees charged by the Race2Dinner event hosts. The author notes that when Walsh steps out of his own way and allows his subjects to speak for themselves, they often end up skewering their own credibility.The Audience Perspective: A Comedic Appreciation and Cautious Concerns
The author's conversation with fellow audience member Lacretia Lyon, a standup comic and podcaster, provides an insightful perspective on the film. Lyon, a fan of Borat, found the undercover bits to be well-executed and appreciated the "narcissism" displayed by the DEI experts. However, the author also notes the hesitation of the Latinx family to go on the record, citing concerns about potential camera recordings in the lobby. The youngest member of the family, wearing sunglasses, long hair, and a beaded necklace, whispered "Vote red" as they left, hinting at a potential political divide within the audience.The rewritten article explores the complex and often controversial topic of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion industry, as portrayed in the documentary "Am I Racist?". By delving into the audience's reactions, the comedic approach of the film, and the confrontations between the filmmaker and prominent DEI experts, the article provides a multifaceted perspective on the issues at hand. The author's attention to detail and nuanced analysis offer a thought-provoking exploration of the documentary's impact and the underlying societal tensions it seeks to address.