CHICAGO — A powerful new documentary from a Chicago-born filmmaker is taking aim at the political roots of modern racism — and how it’s been strategically amplified in America for decades.
A Deep Dive Into Political Exploitation of Race
Andrew Goldberg, an Emmy-winning journalist and director originally from Evanston, launched his new film, “White With Fear,” on June 3 across major streaming platforms like Apple TV, YouTube Movies and Fandango.
The 86-minute film examines how conservative politicians and media outlets — dating back to the 1960s — weaponized racial tension to influence elections and consolidate power.
“The enormous success of political and media policies to keep white Americans scared,” Goldberg says in the film, “is something we still haven’t reckoned with.”
From Barry Goldwater to Fox News
The documentary tracks political rhetoric from the anti-civil-rights messaging of Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon, through the Reagan era, post-9/11 anti-Muslim backlash, and into the Donald Trump years. It frames these tactics as deliberate strategies to manufacture and capitalize on white grievance.
Goldberg interviews figures from across the political spectrum — including Hillary Clinton and Steve Bannon — alongside academics and media experts, to document what he calls the “white fear industrial complex.”
Inspired by the Racial Reckoning of 2020
Goldberg began work on the film shortly after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. He said America’s discomfort with talking about race became the catalyst for making “White With Fear.”
“Americans just never like to talk about race,” he told Block Club Chicago. “It would always get pushed aside; that was standard operating procedure.”
Chicago Roots Shaped His Vision
Born to longtime Chicago Tribune food columnist Phyllis Magida, Goldberg spent much of his youth in Chicago and earned degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. He says growing up in a segregated city directly informed his understanding of white fear.
“In the 1970s, everyone said whites lived on the North Side and Blacks on the South Side. That was just ‘the way it was,’” he recalled.
His experiences with local politicians, police, and public schools further revealed how systems reinforced racial separation — a phenomenon echoed throughout the film.
A Premiere Close to Home
The film held its premiere in Chicago this May at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, drawing an engaged crowd eager to discuss the film’s themes.
Goldberg now runs his own production company, So Much Film, out of New York City. His past works include award-winning films such as “A Yiddish World Remembered” and “The Armenian Genocide.”
Urgency in the Trump Era
The timing of the release comes as civil rights protections are under new threat, Goldberg warns — especially under a second Trump administration.
“Racism in politics isn’t exactly new,” Goldberg says. “The question is: When does racism as a political strategy become formalized policy?”
Goldberg said he hopes to reach viewers across the political divide, including conservatives.
“People need to understand this fear and how it expresses itself,” he said. “Whether you agree with it or not, it’s shaping how we vote, who we trust, and what kind of country we want to live in.”
Where To Watch
“White With Fear” is now available for streaming on:
- AppleTV
- YouTube Movies
- Fandango
Have you watched “White With Fear”? How do you think racism continues to influence politics in Chicago or nationwide? Share your thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
