Abstract
Using social identity theory, this research investigated how the general public perceived demonstrations of white nationalism during the “Unite the Right” rally of August 12, 2017. Examining publicly available comments posted to news articles about the Charlottesville attack, this research investigated how the general public rationalized the rally as an overt expression of white nationalist sentiments in the United States. First, results suggested a high level of deflection of the responsibility for the violent confrontation, either side blaming the other for the violence. Second, many right leaning commenters felt left out by society and victimized by the media. Further, this study provides empirical and theoretical evidence connecting the delineation of subordinate statuses to how the rally was perceived by the general public.