The Body in Extremist White Supremacism

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Criminology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Racial extremism involves complex social and psychological dynamics.
• Understanding the lived experiences of former extremist group members is crucial for addressing radicalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how embodied practices of violence and sexuality function within extremist white supremacist groups.
• To investigate the role of gender in these embodied practices.
• To understand how embodiment enables or disables extremist actors and groups.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with 47 former members of U.S. extremist white supremacist groups.
• Examination of narratives detailing physical markers, violence, and sexual practices.
• Focus on gendered experiences within extremist contexts.

Main Results:

• Embodiment of racist violence makes extremism a visceral aspect of adherents' lives.
• Gendered differences observed in how men and women experience and utilize violence.
• Embodiment of racist sexuality is an iterative process, leading to women's victimization but also offering some women access and influence.

Conclusions:

• Embodied practices of violence and sexuality are central to the functioning and perpetuation of racial extremism.
• Gender is a critical dimension in understanding the embodiment of extremist ideologies and practices.
• The findings offer insights into the mechanisms of radicalization and the experiences of individuals within extremist movements.