Deconstructing Karen

Everyone who is not a person of color benefits from America's institutions. No one blames you. There is no shame in admitting this. This documentary challenges our willingness to accept that truth and then examine how we can unlearn what we think is true about "the others." The privilege that comes with not believing what huge swathes of Americans are telling you is true is astounding. The documentary takes on several issues that could be episodes within themselves - historical race-based trauma, white fragility, the silence of liberals/progressives - which makes it feel rushed. I am thankful that at least the conversation is happening. Kudos to these ladies for taking on this work. It's a heavy lift - threats on their lives notwithstanding.

(Review assumes you know premise - this is a filmed dinner party - or have watched this doc).

Saira Rao is a bully. Her aggression is repellent, suffocating and risibly self righteous; yet, she's ostensibly offering important enlightenment for ignorant humanity. Nope.

She visibly gets off on hurting and humiliating people. And, apparently, white women are paying to be her target because she promises to *checks notes* "smash your white fragility"? Seriously?

The objectives envisioned by Rao and her co-creator, Regina Jackson, of "Race2Dinner" are unattainable, largely due to their being so vague. One objective appears to be to "talk to people".... I think...but, Rao detests anyone else talking. She'd prefer, as with a communist re-education camp, to stuff her opinions down your throat and have you parrot them back. No fuss, no muss, here's your script; so, conversion, not conversation.

Their utopian vision is used as a cudgel to beat women they obviously, what...hate? Envy? Want to exploit? The zeal to kick these ladies' asses is so palpable, what good is supposed to come of this? Rao just bullies, Regina just complains, everyone else is shut down, disrespected and humiliated. The dinner guests are fire-hosed with blame, but aren't allowed a word of defence. How can this farce help with healing wounds or serious problems like voting rights and police brutality?

I guarantee, most of the dinner guests will be "having conversations" about how obtuse and repugnant the hosts were, and that's it! I know, I know, the participants aren't allowed any human reaction because it's not about them. But, obliterating their humanity makes this formula so inherently dysfunctional that it's ultimately useless.

In one of the most surreal segments, Rao shames the participants for feeling emotion over stories of racial injustice and tells them they can't have such reactions in the future. If I'd been in attendance, that would've been my "eff you very much, I don't have time for this gong show....um, can I get this to go?" moment.

Rao and Jackson don't want a world where our shared humanity is encouraged and cherished; they want a world of revenge and verbal face punching. They're too angry, censoring and (after reading more on Race2Dinner) avaricious to really want healing change, maybe cha-ching change - are they aiming for a reality show?

Of the eight women who participated, only three agreed to a follow up interview. The three who responded just virtue-signalled themselves into a meaningless caricature. What does that tell you? FAIL!

If one really wants to change hearts and minds, kindness and respect always win the day. But, Rao and Jackson are getting something out of feeding the fires of hate and anger, and that's on them. Again, their calculation might be the mercenary "enragement leads to engagement", or, they're just bullies. Because what they're doing isn't helping and I can't believe they don't know it.

I pray their scheme doesn't last. These shallow, self-interested posers can't be forgotten soon enough.

I was so excited to watch this movie as I am always looking for ways to be less racist, less prejudiced, learn about other cultures and become a better human being. However, I found that the movie didn't so much provide an opportunity for open conversations as it gave a platform for scolding white women for being racist. Yes, white women have a lot to learn, but this movie could have encouraged them to ask more questions and become more aware of their privilege, not simply scolded them for living in the only realities they've ever known. Change happens when people can truly see each other - it doesn't happen by simply telling a whole group of individuals that they are bad.

This is just more of the same. I get the concept, but the execution was flawed in pretty much every way possible.

Start with the premise that the way to win anyone over to your viewpoint is to be a, well, insert your favorite four letter word here for a woman acting poorly.

One of the fastest ways to determine the worth of a human being, to me, is to witness their interactions with others. And, of course, in this example, that shows just what you are truly dealing with here.

It's funny how so often, people trying to accuse others of something really simply end up showing how THEY themselves are the ones really exemplifying the very thing they're trying to denounce in others.

There are SO many better ways to spend your time than watching this...

Out of all violent American movies, this is probably the most so. I can see what may have drove people who made it, they are so far invested into their preffered world view that they could not look past the tips of their structurally oppressed noses to save their lives Somehow they have secured funds to produce and retail this piece of hateful fiction, And you know what, more power to them. I think that stuff like this should be made if for no other reason than to brin Critical Race Theroy to the masses.

I cannot however understand how could anyone else enjoy, or learn from watching this attrocity. Furthermore, I am 80% sure that most of this picture qualifies as hate speach in most of Europe.

0/10 would not recommend to a friend.