A Tale of Two Terrorists – Anders Behring Breivik, Timothy McVeigh and masculinity

This is a very interesting article, by Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in New York and the editor of Men and Masculinities. Kimmel is a spokesperson of NOMAS (The National Organization For Men Against Sexism).

I find myself at odds picking a quote (the entire piece is quotable), but here’s a snippet:

Second, extremists use gender as a means to problematize and fight against the «other». White, protestant masculinity is pitted against black, Jewish, homosexual and immigrant masculinity. They are either too masculine (bloodthirsty, lustful, cunning, greedy predators), or not masculine enough (feminine, dependent and unmanly). Racism, anti-Semitism, nativism and homophobia gain unique expression through discrediting the masculinity of the «other». 

Thirdly, the American movement vows to resurrect manliness, and uses this to enlist new members. By participating in these male groups, one can contribute to protecting white women from these voracious beasts. They want the admiration and love of these women, and in this way to win back their masculinity. 

H/T Egbert Martina.