In recent times, our news feeds have been flooded with reports of mass shootings and hate crimes. The heartbreaking reality of witnessing two mass shootings within a week, alongside the alarming increase in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, is overwhelming. A significant number of these hate crimes are deeply rooted in male supremacy and a pervasive hatred of women, particularly feminism, and these incidents are on the rise.
This trend is not a new phenomenon. A report from the F.B.I. released in November 2020 indicated that hate crimes in the United States reached their highest levels in over a decade. Advocacy organizations suggest that the actual number of hate crimes may be substantially underreported, with estimates from the Southern Poverty Law Center indicating that around 204,600 individuals fall victim to hate crimes annually in America.
The perpetrators of many hate crimes tend to be young men who often subscribe to male supremacist ideologies. Data from Statista.com highlights that, since 1982, 119 mass shootings have occurred in the U.S., with an astonishing 116 of these attacks committed by male shooters. In 2018, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) began tracking male supremacy as one of the ideologies contributing to such violence.
What Constitutes a Hate Crime?
The F.B.I. defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.” This means that for a crime to be classified as a hate crime, it must involve a criminal act with a motive rooted in bias against the victim’s protected characteristics, such as race, religion, or gender. Hate crime laws offer protections for victims based on their actual or perceived traits.
Although penalties for hate crimes are generally harsher, the legal complexities make these crimes challenging to prosecute. Despite the existence of hate crime laws at the federal level and in 47 states, there is considerable variation in how these laws are applied. For example, not all states include protections based on gender or sexual orientation, and Arkansas, South Carolina, and Wyoming lack hate crime laws altogether.
Understanding ‘Male Supremacy’
Male supremacy is an ideology grounded in misogyny, advocating for a return to “traditional” gender roles and blaming women for the challenges faced by men, particularly white men. This ideology is fueled by a perceived decline in white male privilege and is expressed through various movements that include:
- Men’s Rights Activists: Focus on defending men’s rights while claiming that women infringe upon them.
- Red Pillers: Believe in a feminist conspiracy controlling society.
- Pick-up Artists (PUA): Aim to seduce women while degrading them.
- Involuntary Celibates (Incels): Express anger and violence due to their inability to engage with women romantically or sexually.
- Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW): Choose to separate themselves from women entirely.
Male Supremacy and Hate Crimes
Tragically, these ideologies have been used to rationalize some of the most horrific mass killings. For instance, a man named Thomas Rogers attempted to attack a sorority house, resulting in six deaths and numerous injuries. In his manifesto, he expressed a desire for revenge against women he believed rejected him. Similarly, Nathan Thompson was responsible for a vehicular attack in Toronto that claimed the lives of ten individuals, predominantly women. His online posts revealed his identification as an incel and an admiration for previous mass killers.
These men often find community and encouragement in online spaces that promote extreme misogyny and violence against women. Sites like “Men’s Rights” and “Return of Kings” foster these harmful beliefs.
Data Collection and Reporting on Hate Crimes
Despite the concerning rise of gender-motivated hate crimes, such incidents represent only about 1% of those recorded by the F.B.I. Organizations monitoring hate groups have raised alarms about the increase in what they term “male supremacy terrorism.” The Southern Poverty Law Center criticizes the F.B.I.’s hate crime statistics as significantly underrepresenting the issue due to multiple factors. Notably, law enforcement agencies are not mandated to report hate crimes, and many lack proper training in documenting such incidents. Additionally, a significant number of victims opt not to report their experiences to authorities.
It is clear that violence driven by extreme misogyny is a significant and growing issue in our society. Addressing this crisis is urgent, as the problem is likely to escalate further.
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Summary
The increase in hate crimes tied to male supremacy reflects a troubling societal trend, rooted in misogyny and a desire to maintain traditional gender hierarchies. With a significant number of perpetrators being young men influenced by these ideologies, it is crucial to address this issue comprehensively to prevent further violence and discrimination.