Twentieth Century Sociological Intimations, Twenty-First Century Contradictions: Neutralizing Racism and Reclaiming Whiteness

Abstract

In the virtual echo chamber of 21st-century social media, the replacement of primary social bonds with virtual secondary bonds has led to violence and death in the real world. Due to ideological demagoguery and acceptance of violence in far-right-wing groups, imaginary realms in cyber-space have become sites from which terroristic acts flow into non-virtual life. Sociological theory from the past century predicts the current situation and fosters an understanding of how such technology leads to concentrations of racist ideologies and a reversal of Enlightenment values. Twentyfirst-century research suggests that those who commit race-driven violence against civil society perceive their actions as non-deviant and necessary.