What two things do most mass shooters, terrorists, or violent extremists have in common? Most of us know the first: they are almost always men or boys. But the second? They are almost always virulent misogynists, homophobes, or transphobes鈥攅ven if they are also motivated by racism, antisemitism, or xenophobia. In dozens of incidents from North America to Norway to New Zealand, an increasing number of misogynist incel (involuntarily celibate) and male supremacist attackers have explicitly targeted and killed women, blaming feminism or sexual frustration with women as motivation for their attacks.
Yet, despite all evidence, the bright red thread of misogyny running through these attacks is barely acknowledged by the media or even experts鈥攁nd this failing leaves us powerless to stop the violence. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a leading expert on extremism, will discuss this crucial oversight, revealing how an epidemic of misogyny鈥攂oth online and off鈥攁nd a patriarchal backlash are driving an exponential rise in mass and far-right violence. Miller-Idriss will also offer essential strategies that all of us can use to fight the rising tide of violence, beginning with recognizing the misogyny that pervades our everyday lives.