Watch Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea

Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea is a thought-provoking documentary from 2019 that aims to investigate the concept of white privilege in America. The film is directed by Alex Stapleton and features comedian and talk show host Chelsea Handler as she embarks on a journey to understand and confront her own privilege. Handler begins by discussing her own privileged upbringing in New Jersey and acknowledges the ways in which she has benefited from her race and socio-economic status. She then delves deeper into the issue of privilege by interviewing a range of experts and activists, including Melina Abdullah and Jody David Armour.

Abdullah, a professor and activist at California State University, discusses the impact of systemic racism on communities of color, particularly in relation to police violence. She also touches on the ways in which white privilege is perpetuated in society and how it affects people's life chances, opportunities, and sense of belonging.

Armour, a law professor at the University of Southern California, provides a historical perspective on white privilege, tracing its roots back to America's legacy of slavery and Jim Crow laws. He argues that white privilege is not just about individual attitudes or behaviors, but is deeply ingrained in social and political institutions that work to advantage white people at the expense of others.

Throughout the documentary, Handler also speaks with a range of people from diverse backgrounds to get their perspectives on privilege, including a group of young women of color, a white nationalist, and a group of poor white people living in Appalachia. Through these conversations, Handler learns about the ways in which privilege intersects with other forms of oppression, such as gender, sexuality, and class, and how it can be a source of both privilege and shame.

One of the strengths of Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea is the way in which it situates privilege as a structural issue rather than just an individual one. The documentary does not shy away from uncomfortable discussions about race and inequality, but rather confronts them head-on in an effort to promote greater understanding and awareness.

Handler's willingness to confront her own privilege and use her platform to amplify the voices of others is also commendable. While some critics have questioned her suitability as a spokesperson on this issue, given her own privileged background and history of racially insensitive jokes, the documentary does not shy away from these criticisms and instead grapples with them directly.

Overall, Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea is a timely and important examination of one of the most pressing issues facing America today. Its blend of personal reflection, expert analysis, and real-world examples makes it a compelling and insightful documentary that will challenge viewers to think more deeply about their own privilege and how they can work to dismantle systemic inequalities.

Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.