1st Edition
Out of Hiding Extremist White Supremacy and How It Can be Stopped
Out of Hiding: Extremist White Supremacy and How It Can Be Stopped explains how white supremacist extremism endures, the varied forms it takes, its relationship with systemic racism, and what to do about it.
The book draws on more than 30 years of extensive data and direct experiences with extremists to describe how white supremacy moved into the spotlight during the first two decades of the 21st century. The argument focuses on three moments between 2008 and today during which white supremacists took opportunities to move from pockets of underground activism to violent protests across the United States. The authors offer a corrective to observers who mischaracterize today’s racial extremism as a new form of ‘alt-right’ conservatism or ‘white nationalism’ emanating from an isolated, poorly educated, and economically disenfranchised online fringe. These misunderstandings reflect the limited attention given to the varied and persistent forms of racial extremism that have long simmered in America and an inability to acknowledge the appeal white supremacist messages can hold for a broad swath of the U.S. population. This volume contributes a longer view than other books to demonstrate that today’s white supremacy is less a unique eruption than a continuation –and an acceleration –of longstanding U.S. white supremacy.
This is essential reading for scholars and activists interested in racism, white supremacy, and far-right extremism.
1 Out of Hiding
2 Before Obama
3 Whitelash
4 Charlottesville
5 Insurrection
6 The Path Ahead
Data appendix
Biography
Kathleen M. Blee is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of C-REX, the Center for Research on Extremism in Oslo, Norway.
Robert Futrell is Professor of Sociology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States, and longtime expert on right-wing extremism.
Pete Simi is Professor of Sociology at Chapman University, Orange, California, United States, and Executive Committee member for the National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, United States.
'Drawing on decades of meticulous research on racial extremist movements and far right terrorist groups, Blee, Futrell, and Simi document the continuity, the growing influence, and the extreme threat to democracy posed by violent white supremacist movements that have moved from the margins to the mainstream in the Trump era. Accessibly written and filled with new insights about the longstanding role of white supremacy in the U.S., Out of Hiding is one of the most important books of our time!'
Verta Taylor, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, University of California Santa Barbara, USA
'From three of the foremost experts on white supremacist extremism, Out of Hiding is the definitive tome for understanding how the fringes moved so quickly into the mainstream. Its cultural lens is original, timely, and essential for understanding domestic extremist growth—making this book an instant classic.'
Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Professor and Founding Director of Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL), American University, USA
'Out of Hiding provides a crucial framework for understanding how American white supremacy has, once again, emerged from the fringes to influence mainstream politics and fuel a surge in discriminatory policies. The authors show us how racial extremists draw on broader societal features, driven by America’s long history of racial hatred, to opportunistically fuel their movements, which have waxed and waned throughout American history. Today, they wax, along with rising hate violence and domestic terrorism. It is not a pretty picture, but thankfully the authors provide a roadmap to address this multifaceted problem, giving us a difficult, but possible path, out of these punishing historical cycles.'
Heidi Beirich, Co-Founder, Global Project Against Hate and Extremism
'Out of Hiding is a bracing, well researched screed on The United States founding principle and most enduring evil: white supremacy. And when I say "well-researched," I'm using the academic definition of research. Not the all too common social media definition, that just means, "I googled stuff." This book is like a stiff shot of homemade whisky that you knock back to steel yourself for the upcoming battle. And yes, it is a battle. This book shows that we all have to be prepared to out-think, out-hustle, out-strategize, and outwork white supremacy and the people in this country who want it to remain the law of the land. Like garlic on a vampire, this is the antidote to Tucker Carlson.'
W. Kamau Bell, NYT Bestselling author of "Do The Work! An Antiracist Activity Book", Director, and Executive Producer
'As the nation gears up for the 2024 presidential election, “Out of Hiding” provides a clear picture for how the nation’s polarization got to this point, and offers some ideas for what to do about it.'
Excerpt from Jason Dearen, 'Review: Scholars analyze extremist white supremacy’s grip on U.S. politics and culture', https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/book-review-scholars-analyzes-extremist-white-18611233.php
