Is AI Turning Racist – Or Are We the Problem?

The other day, I was scrolling through Instagram, minding my business — maybe even looking for an IG model or two to trick on — when I came across a video that genuinely disturbed me.

In the clip, a man — represented with the voice and likeness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — was stealing a slushie from a store while delivering a parody of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. At first, I laughed. But then I caught myself. This wasn’t just any meme. This was a deepfake of one of the most revered civil rights leaders in history — portrayed as a thief.

This kind of content is becoming more common. And to make matters worse, the quality of these AI-generated videos is so good, many people might not even realize they’re fake. That’s dangerous.

It’s not just MLK. There’s an AI clip of Malcolm X spewing nonsense like, “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.” These portrayals are ridiculous — and deeply disrespectful.

Why Are So Many AI Deepfakes Targeting Black Icons?

It’s becoming clear: a large number of these viral deepfakes seem to target Black culture, Black people, and Black historical figures. From women in bonnets eating chicken to wig-snatching videos and exaggerated stereotypes, the pattern is hard to ignore.

Even Bernice King, MLK’s daughter, spoke out, pleading with the public to stop misusing her father’s likeness. She’s not alone — Robin Williams’ daughter also expressed frustration with AI-generated videos of her late father.

The gut reaction might be to blame racism or outsiders mocking the Black community. But here’s a controversial take:

It’s not just outsiders making these videos. It’s us.

Yup. Black people, especially younger ones, are generating much of this content.

A Cultural Disconnect

Why would we disrespect our own icons like this? It comes down to a generational disconnect.

Older generations — those who lived through or were raised by those who experienced Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement — have a deep respect for figures like MLK and Malcolm X. They were educated through Black churches, family stories, and a community that valued cultural pride.

But many younger people don’t have that connection. They didn’t grow up seeing what the struggle meant. To them, MLK is just a name from a textbook — not a living symbol of change. So when they make a meme or deepfake, they don’t see it as disrespectful. They see it as funny.

This reflects a broader trend: the erosion of Black cultural loyalty.

Look at how dating preferences have shifted. In the 1990s, Black men often dated within their own communities. But today, it’s not unusual for young Black men to exclusively date outside the race. That’s not inherently wrong, but it reflects how some have lost faith in the Black community itself.

Even celebrities’ children — like LeBron James’ sons — are dating outside their race. It’s not necessarily about self-hate, but about a weakening cultural identity.

The Rise of Self-Deprecating Humor

When people feel disconnected from their community, they stop protecting it. They joke about it. They criticize it. They make fun of it. And AI gives them the tools to do that more widely and more convincingly than ever.

This isn’t new. The culture of dissing the dead started showing up in drill music — dissing rivals who had passed away. That type of disrespect has since spilled over into everyday conversations, social media posts, and now, AI videos. It’s gone mainstream.

When Kevin Samuels passed away, people were making “smoking on a Kevin pack” jokes. Now, we’re seeing that same lack of respect toward civil rights legends.

Who’s Responsible?

Yes, some of this content may come from people outside the community. But much of it — the most creative, viral, and culturally nuanced stuff — comes from within. It’s self-deprecating humor born from frustration, disconnection, and, in some cases, hopelessness.

And no amount of public outcry will stop it unless the Black community builds infrastructure that gives people something to be proud of again — whether that’s businesses, marriages, or real cultural support systems.

Until then, this kind of content will continue. Because when people don’t feel like their community cares about them, they feel no obligation to care back.

So what do you think?
Is AI the enemy? Or are we misusing powerful tools in ways that only reflect deeper issues in our own communities?

Let me know your thoughts. And as always, this is O’Shea Duke Jackson, signing off from The Celebrity Junk. Hit that subscribe button, and keep the conversation going.