In a thought-provoking critique of the burgeoning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) industry, Matt Walsh, a self-styled DEI consultant, launched an audacious critique against the principles underpinning the movement. His new film, “Am I Racist?” explores the paradoxes and pitfalls that he asserts are at the heart of DEI initiatives, with a particular focus on the financial exploitation of societal guilt.
Walsh’s film is his second major project with Daily Wire+ and premiered to mixed reactions. During an interview with “Restoring America,” Walsh delves deeply into what he perceives as the hypocrisy and damaging nature of DEI ideology. He argues that the movement portrays America as inherently racist, a notion he fervently disputes, claiming that the very anti-black racism DEI seeks to combat has significantly receded in recent decades.
A focal point of the movie is a scene where Walsh scrutinizes whether cultural expressions, such as his daughter wanting to dress as Moana, are indeed racist. In conversation with Kaylee McGhee White, host of “Restoring America,” Walsh underscores the film’s approach of showing, rather than merely stating, the self-contradictory nature of anti-racism philosophies and the counterproductive outcomes of DEI methodologies.
Instead of presenting the harmful aspects of DEI through traditional documentary storytelling, Walsh immerses himself in DEI practices, following their logic to its extreme. He contends this method lets the audience discern the inherent flaws of DEI ideology. By the film’s conclusion, viewers, according to Walsh, will see how such doctrines can lead to unintended negative consequences.
Walsh expresses particular concern over the effectiveness of what he labels as DEI “grifters” in indoctrinating the public. These facilitators, he notes, profit from their workshops, books, and seminars, often convincing attendees of their implicit biases and systemic racism. Walsh finds the sincere belief among attendees, who seem to be prey to this indoctrination, both revelatory and alarming.
A particularly striking segment of the documentary involves a real-life event called “Race2Dinner,” where white women voluntarily subject themselves to harsh criticisms for hours, purportedly to confront their racism. Walsh recounts experiencing this event as a disturbing display of psychological manipulation, likening it to an intense brainwashing session.
The film also challenges the perceived moral high ground of DEI policies in corporate America, arguing that affirmative action and other such measures, though intending to foster equality, potentially propagate a new form of systemic racism against white individuals. Walsh openly posits the controversial argument that systemic anti-white racism is now a plausible concern, suggesting that the DEI industry perpetuates a sense of perpetual guilt to maintain its influence and financial gain.
Walsh points out the economic and political motivations behind the sustained narrative of systemic racism. He asserts that DEI consultants and advocates must perpetuate the belief in ongoing racism to justify their roles and maintain their income. This cycle, he argues, is self-serving and detrimental to genuine racial harmony.
In concluding his conversation with McGhee White, Walsh touches on the future battle against DEI ideologies. He acknowledges the deep-rooted nature of left-wing racial theories in American culture and predicts that dismantling them will require a prolonged effort. Despite this, he remains cautiously optimistic, suggesting that DEI’s widespread negative perception may signal the beginning of its decline.
The debate over DEI’s role and impact is poised to continue, reflecting broader societal tensions regarding race, equality, and the mechanisms we use to address these issues. As “Am I Racist?” makes its rounds, it questions whether DEI initiatives foster genuine equity or further deepen divisions, provoking a much-needed dialogue on the path forward.
