Chapter 8: System of Power and Femicide

The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Extremist Violence

Book Publication

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Through examples of “incel”-related and extremist violence, this chapter demonstrates the use of femicide and violence against women more broadly as a mechanism of “corrective action” to uphold hegemonic masculinity associated with socio-structural systems of power. In efforts to maintain an ideal masculinity associated with traditional power dynamics, an option for white men to regain or maintain this masculinity is to use violence against marginalised groups. Violence may be one option among many, or it may be the only option when the perpetrator perceives every other option to regain masculinity has failed. By targeting current or former partners and women generally, perpetrators of mass violence and femicide reassert control and dominance over others, typically among marginalised and minoritised groups. Additionally, white male perpetrators target women of colour and other minoritized groups in their extremist violence as a means to re-establish themselves as dominant in the overarching system of oppression associated with hegemonic masculinity.

External Authors

Brittany E. Hayes

 

 


 

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