The White Right: A Gendered Look at the Links Between “Victim” Ideology and Anti-Black Lives Matter Sentiments in the Era of Trump

• Published in: Critical sociology 2022-05, Vol.48 (3), p.475-500
• Main Authors: Isom, Deena A, Boehme, Hunter M, Cann, Deanna, Wilson, Amber
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Black Lives Matter movement; Black white differences; Equality; Gender; Gender differences; Gender roles; Ideology; Perceptions; Polarization; Presidential elections; Racism; Threats; Victimization; Victims
• ISSN: 0896-9205; 1569-1632
• DOI: 10.1177/08969205211020396

Employing a racialized gendered lens, we explore the perceptions of status threat and victimhood among a sample of White Americans following the 2016 presidential election. Specifically, we draw upon such theoretical and empirical work to frame our analyses of the associations between perceptions of a white “victim” ideology and anti-Black Lives Matter (BLM) sentiments and how such associations may be conditioned by support for Trump and holding patriarchal gender normative beliefs. We propose that the BLM movement may be perceived as a “threat” to many White Americans. Furthermore, we believe Whites’ anti-BLM sentiments will be enhanced by support for Trump, given his racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, and oppressive tendencies. Moreover, we believe that these associations will differ based on gender and beliefs in patriarchal gender norms, as White men and women are likely to feel status threat in varied ways. Mix support for our propositions and complex gendered differences are revealed. Implications are discussed.