In your last paragraph, state the patterned characteristics you noticed about the homegrown terrorist(s) in the U.S. from the various posts.
“In recent years, the term “incel,” short for “involuntary celibate,” has gained significant attention in discussions of domestic terrorism. Domestic terrorism is defined by the FBI, as: involving acts dangerous to human life, that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State. (FBI, 2020)
The incel movement is a loosely organized online subculture primarily composed of men (there are also female incels or femcels) who harbor resentment and hatred toward women and society, driven by their perceived inability to form romantic or sexual relationships. While not all individuals who identify as an incel engage in violence, the ideology has inspired acts of mass violence, earning the movement classification as a domestic terrorist threat by some experts and law enforcement agencies in America. (SPLC, n.d)
One notable incel attack in America is the 2014 Isla Vista killings where incel Elliot Rodger killed his two roommates and a visitor of one of his roommates, then drove to a sorority house at the University of Santa Barbara and killed six students. Rodger picked a sorority house because he felt that the women who lived within the house represented the type of women who rejected him throughout his life (SPLC, n.d)
The incel ideology is based in misogyny and a sense of entitlement to women’s bodies and attention. Incels believe that societal structures unfairly deprive them of sexual and romantic opportunities, often blaming feminism, women’s empowerment, and “Chads” (attractive, socially dominant men) and/or “Stacys” (attractive women, who usually reject incels) for their issues. While there is no clear objective that all incels aspire to meet, most incels want to punish women for rejecting them, dismantle what they perceive as a “sexual hierarchy,” and reinstate patriarchal systems where women have limited autonomy. (SPLC, n.d)
The demographics of incels can vary greatly but certain characteristics are common: most incels are between the ages of 18 and 35, white, and are usually from a lower to mid socioeconomic class or background. While some incels have obtained some level of higher education, many usually have struggled when it comes to education and in the workforce. Incels are spread out across the world but are most often found in Western countries with high internet and social media access. (Padon, 2023)
Incels are most often recruited online on websites/forums like Reddit and 4Chan. Many incels are introduced to the community while gaming online as well. (Padon, 2023)
It can be challenging for law enforcement to track incels due to the fact that most incel related activity occurs online and by people who use a username instead of their actual name. This can make it difficult for law enforcement to track a particular person or group down before an actual attack takes place. (ADL, 2018)
Second, while many incels say violent things, not all incels act on their words. This also makes it difficult for law enforcement to track dangerous incels because it is difficult to ascertain a credible threat from just violent or hate speech. (ADL, 2018)
From a social conflict perspective, incels represent a manifestation of deeper societal inequalities and frustrations. Their beliefs reflect the intersection of economic struggles, shifting gender norms, and cultural alienation. This subculture highlights systemic issues, such as toxic masculinity, rigid societal and personal expectations about relationships, and economic disenfranchisement.
Works Cited:
FBI. (2020, November 12). Domestic terrorism: Definitions, terminology, and methodology. FBI. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/fbi-dhs-domest…
Misogynist incels. Southern Poverty Law Center. (n.d.). https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-…
Padon, G. (2023, November 21). Understanding the dangers of the incel movement and its harmful views of women. Culture Reframed. https://culturereframed.org/understanding-the-dang…
Incels (involuntary celibates). ADL. (2018, July 20). https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/incels-…”
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|