The highly anticipated satirical documentary Am I Racist? It debuted in theaters Friday, immediately sparking conversations about its sharp critique of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. Directed by conservative commentator Matt Walsh, the film is described on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) as “a man investigates diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, exposing absurdities through undercover social experiments.” One of these experiments caused a stir involving well-known anti-racist activist Robin DiAngelo.
In the film, DiAngelo, best known for her book White Fragility, is tricked into filming a scene in which she pays “reparations” to a Black man. Walsh revealed that DiAngelo had no idea she was part of a satirical production. Following the film’s release, DiAngelo posted a blog acknowledging the prank and defending her actions by citing the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)—a controversial organization often criticized for its left-leaning stances.
DiAngelo’s choice to reference the SPLC has drawn criticism, particularly from Walsh, who mocked her for relying on what he called a “discredited left-wing smear factory.” In a statement to The Daily Signal, Walsh quipped, “Robin DiAngelo is so entrenched in a leftist bubble that she got duped by me in a wig. No wonder she thinks the SPLC is a reliable source.”
The film’s satire is aimed at critical race theory (CRT), a framework through which activists like DiAngelo interpret American society as inherently systemically racist. According to CRT, Black people are perpetually oppressed. At the same time, white individuals are seen as oppressors, regardless of the strides made in civil rights and the success of minority groups who challenge such stereotypes. Am I Racist? exposes these CRT assumptions, satirizing the growing trend of “anti-racism” initiatives in both academia and corporate America.
Hashtags like #AmIRacistFilm, #CRTExposed, and #DiAngeloDuped have gone viral, amplifying the debate over the film’s content. Critics argue that the documentary trivializes meaningful discussions around race, while supporters praise it for exposing what they view as the ridiculousness of critical race theory and DEI practices.
Whether one views Am I Racist? as a necessary satire or a problematic misrepresentation of racial discourse, the film has undoubtedly added fuel to the ongoing cultural battle over how Americans address issues of race, privilege, and equity. As the conversation continues online, the film’s viral nature ensures it will remain a focal point in debates surrounding CRT and anti-racism in the U.S.
