The character arc for Kathy is an important one for the audience. The film was made with the intent of awakening and forcing the privileged to reckon with their own faults. This is best exemplified with the hypocrisy throughout the film, shown through the character of Kathy. She makes the wrong comments at the wrong times and is often unwilling to give up her comfortable complacent life. She believes herself to be open-minded and progressive, but her silence leaves her to side with the bigots. Kathy is like most of white America when seeks validation and praise for doing minimal work for minorities. The talk between Dave and Kathy at the end of the film is important, as it is a call to action. The talk is critical of the common bystander approach, but without being too aggressive. Dave doesn't attack Kathy which restrains her from becoming defensive. By prompting Kathy to change, Dave is also asking the privileged audience to change.