White America, threat to the status quo, and affiliation with the alt-right: a qualitative approach

Abstract

While racial and political tensions have ebbed and flowed throughout American history, one thing makes the current moment distinct—the invasive presence of information through technology. Therefore, the polarization and bias of certain media outlets may exacerbate perceived differences between racial and ethnic groups, political parties, religions, and so forth, increasing tensions and the gaps between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Using qualitative data from a study of the Alt-Right, we analyze the relationships between perceptions of social concerns, feelings of status threat, perceptions of media and technology, and affiliation with the Alt-Right among White Americans. In general, we find three primary themes regarding Alt-Right affiliation for White Americans: (1) threats to us, (2) return to the good ole days, and (3) faux news. Our findings yield valuable insight into the complex relationships between internalized and institutionalized racial hierarchies and extremist ideologies for White Americans. Implications for policy and research are discussed.

Notes

1 Rural is defined as geographic areas consisting of low population numbers, agricultural driven economy that supply’s much of America’s food, water, energy, and other natural resource production (Goetz, Partridge, & Stephens, 2018). ‘Rural’ may be considered synonymous with White given most rural communities are majority White (typically upwards of 90%).

2 Respondents were asked four open ended questions: In one or two sentences, how would you describe the Alt-Right ideology?; Why do you choose to identify with the Alt-Right movement?; What are some common misconceptions about people who identify with the Alt-Right?; and, What are your thoughts when people claim the Alt-Right is racist? (Forscher & Kteily, 2017)

3 All quotes are presented as they are in raw data form. Thus, any grammatical errors are the respondent’s, not the authors’.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deena A. Isom

Deena A. Isom, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the African American Studies Program at the University of South Carolina. Her research aims to understand the causes and consequences of disparities in criminal behaviors and contact with the justice system.

Toniqua C. Mikell

Toniqua C. Mikell, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Crime and Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Her research broadly focuses on intersectional criminology, specifically Black feminist criminology and queer criminology, prisoner reentry, sexual offending and victimization, and social justice.

Hunter M. Boehme

Hunter M. Boehme, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at North Carolina Central University. His research focuses on neighborhood effects on crime, race and crime, and hate crimes.