Contextualizing Trumpism: Understanding Race, Gender, Religiosity, and Resistance in Post-Truth Society
Date
2023-09-22
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Volume Title
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ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
From within the discipline of religion and culture studies, this thesis contextualizes the intersecting discourses surrounding race, gender, and religion underpinning “Trumpism” as an exclusionary populist rhetoric in the United States with similar trends emerging in Canada, Europe, and parts of the Global South. In the US, Trumpism represents not only the political style and rhetoric of its namesake, but the mentality of a distinct voter base compelled to “make America great again.” Pressurized by contemporary social realities and a sensationalist media culture, Trumpian rhetoric can be understood as a “whitelash” response to changes in the American social fabric enmeshed in a cultural history of (white) Christian nationalism. To better understand the cultural and political undertones embodied by Trumpism, this research project presents four Focused Cultural Examples (FCEs) to engage critical discourse/media analysis in dialogue with academic literature. Each FCE examines an event or cluster of topics at the intersections of race, gender, and religion, including antithetical political movements and counter-narratives which challenge and resist Trumpism and what it represents. The synthesis chapter includes brief Canadian comparisons and considers some strategies for building more equitable and informed communities.
Description
Keywords
religion and culture, religion and politics, intersectionality, religiosity, narrative construction, social media, frontlash/backlash, post-truth, Trumpism
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Religion and Culture
Program
Religion and Culture