An Examination of REM Extremist Women’s Discourse and Identity Construction Across Digital Media Platforms

• In Event: Examining Digital Hate and Extremist Discourse

Abstract

Women’s involvement in American racial and ethnically motivated (REM) extremism has evolved with the proliferation of influencer culture on Web 2.0 platforms. REM extremist women’s increasing exploitation of media platforms that overlap with mainstream culture poses a heightened risk of recruitment and radicalization into racist organizations. This study employs triangulated data sourced from an REM extremist subforum, affiliated blogs, and podcasts that are created and maintained by women engaging with the movement to investigate how extremist women’s strategies evolve across platforms characterized by greater accessibility and more diverse audiences beyond co-ideologues. Collectively, these three digital modalities provide additional layers that allow for a more nuanced investigation of racist women’s efforts in appealing to potential and current adherents to REM extremist ideology. The goal of this study is to improve our overall understanding of the ways that women participate in and shape current REM extremist discourse in an increasingly fragmented online environment. In doing so, the results of this research will contribute to a larger initiative prioritizing the development of effective strategies that interrupt both the dissemination of racist propaganda across online platforms and countering online radicalization strategies employed by REM extremists.

Author

• Brenna Helm, Michigan State University