Why Women Leave White Nationalist Movements: Exploring the Deradicalization Process

Authors

Julia Yingling, Yale University

Abstract

This essay aims to explore primarily why women leave white nationalist movements, and the possible role of gender in the radicalization and deradicalization of white women in white nationalist movements. This essay examines the narratives of three former white supremacist women - Angela King, Samantha, and Katie McHugh - and identifies patterns in their journeys. This study has a limited scope due to the small number of case studies available and needs further research. In attempting to connect different narratives of former white supremacist women in an under-studied area, I take the liberty to interpret their stories within the broader framework of organized racism. For clarity’s sake, organized racism and hate, extremism, the alt-right, white power, nationalism, and supremacy are used interchangeably.

Recommended Citation

Yingling, Julia (2020) "Why Women Leave White Nationalist Movements: Exploring the Deradicalization Process," The Yale Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 20.
Available at: https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/yurj/vol1/iss1/20