White nationalism is an extremist ideology that advocates for a white-dominated nation, rooted in the belief of inherent white racial superiority. While it has deep historical roots, its resurgence in the twenty-first century is fueled primarily by political polarization, perceived demographic changes, and online mobilization.
A core driver of this movement is the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, the FALSE and dangerous idea that global elites are orchestrating a deliberate scheme to systematically replace white Americans with non-white immigrants. The internet and social media have provided fertile ground for radicalization, allowing groups to bypass mainstream discourse and disseminate propaganda effectively. This dynamic erupted into national consciousness with the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where hundreds of white nationalists, alt-right, neo-Nazis, neo-Confederates, and KKK members marched, chanting slogans like “You will not replace us.”
More recently, organizations like Patriot Front exemplify the movement’s shift toward highly coordinated, masked “flash marches” and vandalism across the country to spread their message and project unity. This increasing visibility and ideological coherence demonstrate that white nationalism poses a persistent and evolving domestic security threat. It bears noting that many LGBTQ people are also people of color, AND, many white nationalists are also vehemently opposed to LGBTQ people. White Nationalism should concern us all.
