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Beyond Thoughts And Prayers: Understanding Mass Violence Through An Investigation Of Masculinity In The White Nationalist Movement, Paige Chun Lai Toop

Western Libraries Undergraduate Research Award

Mass violence is a growing concern in the United States. In August 2019, two mass shootings occurred less than 24 hours apart, but far too often these incidents are lost in the waves of hashtags, tweets, and posts offering thoughts and prayers, but such attention rarely results in action. I hypothesize that the current conceptualization and enforcement of masculinity breeds resentment and frustration toward women and when taken to the extreme results in violence. Based on data collected on Stormfront.org, the first major hate website, three archetypes were created, the New Victim, the Critic, and the Traditionalist. Each engages with …