White Racial Activism and Paper Terrorism: A Case Study in Far-Right Propaganda

ABSTRACT

In 2017, far-right mobilization and demonstrations in the United States were at the highest levels since the 1980s and 90s. This coincided with a marked increase in propaganda campaigns in neighborhoods and across college campuses. Racial activists renewed efforts to rebrand extreme positions, soften racist rhetoric, and grow the movement. The purpose of this case study was to explore the rhetorical content of the propaganda created by one white supremacist. This study contributes to a growing body of literature on far-right propaganda through an examination of common themes, and a comparison of the framing techniques and rhetorical strategies used by other white supremacists.

Notes

¹ The referenced individual will be referred to throughout using this pseudonym.

² IRB approval was obtained given the nature of the research and identity of the interview subject. The mail exchanges continued until the end of 2015, when John indicated that he was in the process of moving all of his documents to a website.

³ The first page of one version of the plan is provided for reference. John sent multiple versions of the plan as strategies evolved; however, the content was similar across plans.

⁴ John appeared to edit the photos in an attempt to remove all identifying information.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tammy Castle

Dr. Tammy Castle is an Associate Professor in the Department of Justice Studies at James Madison University. Her research and teaching interests include the areas of media, critical and cultural criminology, and comparative justice. Her most recent publications appear in the journals Justice, Power, & Resistance and Crime Media Culture.

Lars Kristiansen

Dr. Lars Kristiansen is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University. His research interests include cultural studies, critical theory, rhetoric, and public relations. He is the lead author of the book Screaming for Change: Articulating a Unifying Philosophy of Punk Rock.

Lantz Shifflett

Lantz Shifflett is a graduate from the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication at James Madison University. His research interests include far-right rhetoric and white racial activism.