"Because for us, as Europeans, it is only normal again when we are great again": metapolitical whiteness and the normalization of white supremacist discourse in the wake of Trump. Issue 13 (21st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paul, Joshua
• Is Part Of: Ethnic and racial studies. Volume 44:Issue 13(2021)
• Page Start: 2328
• Page End: 2349
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21
• Subjects: Racism -- Trump -- metapolitical whiteness -- alt-right -- white backlash; Race -- Periodicals; Race relations -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Periodicals; 305.805
• DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2021.1922730
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9870

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purported utopian multiculture of the Obama era has shown itself to be little more than a postracial fantasy with structural racism persisting and indeed intensifying. The short-lived illusion of harmony and "progress" experienced a significant rupture with the "white backlash" in 2010 and evolved into a pervasive social force with Trump's election. This article analyses the resurgence of a mainstreaming white nationalism following the 2016 presidential election using data drawn from websites, interviews with and publications by the alt-right. Through the concept of metapolitical whiteness, it argues that a new conjuncture of white racial politics has emerged since 2016. This is predicated on the normalization of white supremacist discourse which utilizes novel forms of disseminating its message to a younger demographic. Ultimately, it contends that white supremacist discourse is re-entering mainstream political discourse and popular culture through ironic comedy and differentialist discursive strategies borrowed from the French new right.