Description
The contemporary movement of white nationalists, neo-fascists, and so-called accelerationist neo-Nazis frequently conjure notions of an idealized masculinity, the heterosexual family, and the inherent fragility of femininity in their propaganda and outreach efforts. The discourse employed by these movements—summoned via powerful imagery and memes—relies upon these racialized, gendered, and sexualized themes to present the white, able-bodied, heterosexual, cis-gendered male as indisputable protector of the family and locus of power. These individuals are spurred on by a notion of 'families under siege', inspiring many on the far-right into action. This study utilizes a textual, image-based, and video corpus assembled from contemporary clandestine far-right groups as viewed through encrypted, internet-based digital communities (e.g., Telegram’s ‘Terrorgram’ network) to interrogate how these visual discourses are used to mobilize disaffected males towards reactionary violence. Through a discursive and content analysis, this inquiry probes an emergent world view which harkens back to an idealized and falsely constructed past while seeking to inspire a dystopian future. Through themes such as whiteness, purity, family, marriage, procreation, and the values enshrined, I seek to ask: Why is a mid-20th century imagined white family such a salient focus for these networks, and how has it been successfully weaponized?
