Under the Docs 006:Am I Racist? (2024)

Under the Docks examines 'Am I Racist?' (2024), a satirical mockumentary directed by Justin Folk and narrated by Matt Walsh, backed by The Daily Wire. The film follows Walsh as he adopts the persona of a white man seeking to understand racism by immersing himself in DEI seminars, white grief workshops, and anti-racism training—often with a comedic, self-aware irony. He pays $30,000 to attend a white grief seminar, gets certified in DEI, and even hosts his own parody convention where attendees must self-identify their level of racism on a 0–10 scale. The film’s central thesis questions whether racism is systemic or merely individual prejudice, using absurd scenarios to highlight what the hosts perceive as performative activism and exploitative anti-racism industries. While not a traditional documentary, it functions as a political satire, drawing comparisons to SNL sketches and Steven Crowder’s comedic style. The hosts debate its value: while entertaining and well-produced, it offers little new insight, recycling content already popular on TikTok and YouTube. The film’s cultural impact lies less in its message and more in proving that conservative political satire can achieve theatrical release and commercial viability. The episode concludes with a critical assessment: 'Am I Racist?' is not a documentary in the conventional sense but a high-production mockumentary that amplifies existing critiques of 'woke' culture. The hosts agree it’s a 'sink' for documentary standards—lacking depth, originality, and meaningful revelation—yet it succeeds as comedy and cultural commentary. Key takeaways include the film’s exposure of the commercialization of anti-racism education, the performative nature of some DEI practices, and the broader trend of conservative media repackaging political messaging into entertainment formats. Despite its flaws, the film reflects a growing strategy in right-wing media: using humor and spectacle to reinforce ideological narratives.