#479 Am I Racist?

Matt Walsh on Family, Fatherlessness and Meaning in Life

2024 Sep 09

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson Host

Matt Walsh

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Jordan Peterson engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Matt Walsh, the filmmaker behind the widely acclaimed documentary "What is a Woman?" and the upcoming release, "Am I Racist?" They delve into the complexities of racism, exploring the validity of implicit bias and its selective application to certain racial groups. They dissect the leftist narrative surrounding racism, highlighting the flawed victim hierarchy and the role of Marxism in shaping this ideology. The conversation then takes a captivating turn as they examine the significance of family structure, emphasizing the detrimental effects of fatherlessness, particularly within the black community. They analyze the cultural shift that led to the breakdown of the traditional family unit, linking it to the rise of short-term mating strategies and the emergence of narcissistic and psychopathic tendencies. Drawing from their personal experiences, Peterson and Walsh advocate for the profound meaning and happiness derived from embracing long-term commitments and responsibilities, particularly within the context of marriage and parenthood. They explore the transformative power of responsibility in fostering personal growth, maturity, and a sense of purpose. Shifting gears to Walsh's upcoming film, they discuss the creative process behind "Am I Racist?" and the unique approach Walsh takes in confronting the issue of race in contemporary society. Walsh details his experiences navigating the world of DEI training, obtaining certification, and engaging with prominent figures within the anti-racist movement. He shares his insights into the pervasive nature of white guilt, attributing it in part to a societal void left by declining religious faith. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into the making of "Am I Racist?," the challenges Walsh encountered, and the potential impact he hopes to achieve with his film. They discuss the film's theatrical release, emphasizing the importance of conservative voices participating in mainstream entertainment arenas and engaging in open dialogues about crucial cultural issues.

Highlights

the problem with it is that when we talk about implicit bias we're only talking about it with one group and we're not engaging with it as a um as a fact of human nature but instead as a fact of like white human nature
there's nearly $1 trillion of infrastructure and pandemic funds yet to be spent
Asians do well they also get married and stay married um you know uh African immigrants get married and stay married um white people do you know our divorce rates are not great uh out of woodlock birth rates for whites are going up and uh whites also are are going down are traveling down the other way and becoming less successful in comparison to the these other groups so to me it's um there are probably many factors that explain why these various groups uh perform well but that's that's the number one
it's like having a committed relationship with someone for 60 years which is what you'll have with your kids if you're fortunate that's actually quite meaningful and then you have grandkid too and that's another source of Bountiful provision of stability and responsibility and Love
I I look at it like we we're we're exploring an issue you know we're investigating an issue an important issue but even before that I look at it as a film so it is a story we are we are telling we're storytellers we are telling a story

Takeaways

Recognize the importance of family structure and the role of fathers in a child's life.
Understand the potential downsides of short-term mating strategies and prioritize long-term commitments.
Embrace responsibility as a pathway to personal growth, meaning, and happiness.
Engage in critical thinking when it comes to societal narratives surrounding race and implicit bias.
Support diverse voices in entertainment and media to foster open dialogues on important cultural issues.

Official description

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with author, documentarian, and podcaster Matt Walsh. They discuss the soon-to-be hit film “Am I Racist?” as well as implicit bias, the disparity of demographics, how men and women both find meaning through responsibility (in different ways), and why concepts like white guilt have taken the place of religion for many on the secular left.

Matt Walsh is a popular writer, speaker, and one of the Right's most influential voices. He is the host of “The Matt Walsh Show,” and author of the best-selling children’s book Johnny the Walrus. His documentary “What is a Woman?” has become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most talked-about documentaries of 2022.

This episode was recorded on August 19th, 2024

- Links -

For Matt Walsh:

“Am I Racist?” Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7PA_kshZh0

Buy tickets on the website https://www.amiracist.com/