White With Fear: How Conservative Politicians Have Used Racism and Fear to Shape Our Society, Coming to PBS Next Month
EXCLUSIVE: Last week, President Trump faced widespread backlash for sharing a video that portrayed former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in a derogatory manner. This incident is not isolated, as Republican leaders have historically employed racist imagery for political gain, often inciting fear and animosity.
This perspective is explored in White with Fear, a documentary by Andrew Goldberg, set to debut on PBS on March 24. The film, which premiered at New York’s Chelsea Film Festival, has received a Writers Guild Award nomination.
According to a synopsis, White with Fear examines how American conservatives have weaponized racism and fear over the decades. The documentary sheds light on the real-world ramifications of tactics that demonize immigrants, spread Islamophobia, and deploy racist rhetoric with tangible effects.
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Those recalling the 1988 presidential campaign may remember Republican strategist Lee Atwater’s notorious use of Willie Horton, a furloughed Black convict, to tarnish the reputation of Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis. More recently, Trump’s remarks during the launch of his 2015 campaign claimed that Mexico was sending “despicable people” to the U.S., stating, “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists,” while adding, “and some, I assume, are good people.”
Steve Bannon in ‘White with Fear’
The documentary traces the strategies from Richard Nixon’s “law and order” appeal in the 1968 campaign to the events of September 11, various presidential campaigns, hate crimes, and the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. It features contributions from significant figures, including Steve Bannon, Hillary Clinton, former Fox News reporter Carl Cameron, Lincoln Project founder Stuart Stevens, and Representative Jamie Raskin.
Director Andrew Goldberg attends the New York premiere of ‘White with Fear’ on October 25, 2024 in New York City.
Goldberg expressed gratitude to PBS for providing “such a prestigious platform” for the documentary, emphasizing its relevance to contemporary issues in the country.
White with Fear will be broadcast and streamed simultaneously, available on various PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS app. The documentary is a collaborative effort led by Goldberg, with Diana Robinson as producer and editor, Eric Ward as co-producer, and Robert Hanna responsible for cinematography.
PBS reaches over 36 million adults on primetime television and extends its audience through streaming platforms, YouTube, and social media.
