The far-right campaign against anti-racism work is becoming even more inflammatory, dishonest and dangerous. Right-wing critics of anti-racism initiatives have been strategically politicizing what should be a shared value: actively identifying and opposing racism. Instead of genuinely engaging in the important work to end racism, these critics are working to dismantle both the organizational and individual anti-racist work that threatens their historical revisionism, support of racist policies and the money they make stoking the fears of their conservative base. Rather than investing in their own education about the racism deeply embedded in U.S. institutions and working to understand the needs and concerns of growing communities of color in the U.S., they have chosen to repeat age-old and long debunked notions that there is no structural racism in the U.S. Furthermore, many right-wing politicians and beneficiaries of the status quo are fearful of people of color becoming the majority racial demographic in this country and the potential that has to shape future policy and social change.
We have a front row seat to this escalating battle as unwitting participants in a new pseudo-documentary titled “Am I Racist?” produced with the (unsuccessful) goal of discrediting anti-racism leaders and programs. The leaders were deceived by producers pretending to be genuinely interested in exploring anti-racism work. The deception was intricately planned and well-funded, including fake identities, fake project titles used in legal waivers, fake descriptions of the project, fake websites, fake film trailers, elaborate and costly schemes to disrupt anti-racism workshops, and other stunts, including deceiving church members into participation. Matt Walsh appeared before many leaders in a laughable “disguise” (mainly a stringy black wig) in order to obscure his identity and obtain footage.
This movie is just one part of a wider offensive against anti-racism programming and policies. According to a Chronicle of Higher Education tracker, 86 pieces of anti-DEI legislation across 28 states and in the U.S. Congress have been introduced since 2023. Project 2025, a set of recommendations for a second Trump administration published by the powerful Heritage Foundation, recommends deleting the words “diversity,” “equity” and “inclusion” from “every federal rule, agency regulation, contract, grant, regulation and piece of legislation that exists.” Anti-DEI leaders have waged lawfare against company DEI programs, suing Kellogg’s, Nordstrom, IBM and Activision Blizzard, among others.
Anti-racism educators and authors have faced not only book bans and reduced investment from organizations, but also personal harassment. Several leaders misled into appearing in “Am I Racist?” have already begun receiving violent and often sexualized threats. It is worth noting that all of the film’s main participants appear to be women, and most often women of color.
Sadly, it is not enough for these bad actors to simply oppose anti-racism programs. Some far-right activists are aiming to discredit and dehumanize anti-racism leaders. When journalist Megyn Kelly interviewed the movie’s star, she referred to anti-racism leaders as people who “hate America.” She called one unwitting participant “a pig” who “deeply … hates whites.” Excerpts from the movie lay bare the filmmakers’ agenda and devious methods. Scenes are manipulated and edited with the obvious goal of mining cheap laughs and eliciting awkward responses. The movie is certain to motivate those looking for validation of their political and personal opposition to anti-racism work, without ever grappling with the reality of racial injustice.
Rather than diminish the anti-racism movement, this movie and its advocates have put on display the urgent need for this work. While we have different approaches and areas of expertise, we are standing together, even more committed. We will not cower in the face of juvenile humor, harassment and threats, which has unfortunately been the reality for every generation of activists and educators seeking to dismantle racism and create a more humane and just society for all of us. It is sad and noteworthy that Matt Walsh and his cronies think they are saying or doing something new, and that they believe their arguments against anti-racist work and attacks of anti-racist practitioners are new. The reality is there has always been ignorant, ill-intentioned and vicious backlash against this work, from the centuries of anti-colonization and slavery abolition work to the height of the civil rights area, to the present day. And through all of the theft, exploitation, dehumanization, intimidation, harassment, threats and outright murder committed against both people of color and anti-racist activists, we have remained steadfast in our deep knowledge, values and commitment to this work.
For those committed to anti-racism efforts, your response to this movie does not have to be disillusion or division. We ask that you take this moment to recommit to your own anti-racist work, whether that be continuing your education on systemic racism, challenging your workplace, places of worship, places you volunteer or places you shop to invest in anti-racist organizational policies and practices, disrupting racism in your own friendships, families and communities and/or working to meet the needs of communities of color targeted by racism.
For those not committed to anti-racism efforts, your response to this movie does not have to be confirmation bias and deeper entrenchment in the conservative media echo chamber. You have the opportunity to ask yourself, “What do I really know about systemic racism in housing, legal systems, medical systems, food production systems, the military and elsewhere? What experts have I actually engaged in this conversation to learn more about this movement’s goals and values? Who have I seen speak about this work outside of TikTok clips, Twitter hot takes and edited gotcha moments?” Your honest reflection on these questions may tell you something.
If you care at all about stopping the harm of racism at all levels of society, then we are your friends and colleagues in this work. Matt Walsh, however, is not your friend.
Regan Byrd is an award-winning anti-oppression activist, speaker, trainer, and consultant who has trained and consulted with over 100 organizations on anti-oppression theory, practices, allyship, healthy conflict, and systems change.
Regina Jackson is the coauthor of “White Women: Everything You Already Know about Your Own Racism and How to Do Better,” and the cofounder of Race2Dinner, a program that initiates and empowers radically honest conversations about race and oppression.