Blog 2: Toxic Masculinity: Poisoning our Society

Various media depictions and research demonstrate how toxic masculinity, conventional ideas of manhood, and societal violence are interconnected problems that have gained popularity in public debate in recent years. By analyzing Michael Kimmel’s “Masculinity as Homophobia,” Will James’s toxic masculinity, the Vice News documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror,” and the insights from CBC’s “Inside Incel,” we can better understand the intricate relationship that exists between gender, power, and violence in our society. The objective of this blog is to combine these distinct points of view to provide an in-depth understanding of how toxic masculinity feeds systemic problems homophobia and violence, ultimately producing a society that is less inclusive and equitable. 

In his article “Masculinity as Homophobia,” Michael Kimmel delves into the intricate dynamics between traditional masculinity and cultural violence. One of the central ideas he explores is the association between manhood and power, with violence often serving as a symbolic marker of masculinity. Kimmel encapsulates this concept with the statement, “Manhood is equated with power.” (Kimmel 2), where power becomes synonymous with being a man. This association between masculinity and power creates a culture that values dominance and control, often at the expense of women and marginalized groups. By equating manhood with power, societal expectations place an immense amount of pressure on men to conform to aggressive and dominant behaviours to prove their masculinity. Kimmel’s claim is supported by the events seen in the Vice News video “Charlottesville: Race and Terror,” in which white nationalists defend their claimed rights and exert authority by justifying violence during demonstrations. Chris Cantwell’s demonstration of his many guns and explanation in response to the hit-and-run incident reinforces Kimmel’s notion about violence being used to feel powerful. He wants all the world to know that if you aren’t a straight, white, Christian, masculine man, you are as one of the followers put it “Vermin” and you will be hunted because you “don’t belong” in America. Cantwell does this to make his “enemies” afraid for their lives and feel as if they are inferior to the White Nationalists. This could be explained by Kimmel’s statement, “Men are in power as a group and the psychological fact that they do not feel powerful as individuals. They are the feelings of men who were raised to believe themselves entitled to feel that power, but do not feel it.” (Kimmel 2) In reality, Cantwell and his followers are the ones who feel powerless, so they justify the use of violence, as seen in the hit-and-run, to prove that they are the more dominant, masculine beings who deserve to be in total control. These men cannot take any responsibility for their own “shortcomings” and blame the people who finally regained their power after centuries of oppression. This overwhelming feeling of entitlement creates a toxic and divisive society that feeds off young, misguided men who feel entitled to power and lash out when they feel as if they don’t have the power, they feel they should have. 

As mentioned in Will James’ presentation, Andrew Tate’s embrace of the Manosphere, promotion of male supremacy and violence towards women can be connected to Michael Kimmel’s “Masculinity as Homophobia” through the lens of how traditional masculinity perpetuates harmful gender norms and behaviours. Kimmel argues that hyper-masculine qualities like violence, dominance, and a sense of entitlement are often adopted by men who embrace traditional masculinity because they fear being seen as feminine or homosexual. The fear of not living up to traditional gender norms may come out as actions that support toxic masculinity, such as violence against women. This way of thinking is supported by Andrew Tate’s definition of masculinity, which is limited and stubborn and places more value on dominance and power than on empathy and respect. Tate contributes to toxic masculinity by reinforcing negative gender role expectations and pushing men to use violence to establish their authority. Kimmel notes that all these variables are part of societal demands. Andrew Tate’s emphasis on the inferiority of women fuels the incel culture, with its focus on sexual shortcomings and hatred towards women. The ideas in “Inside Incel” directly relate to Michael Kimmel’s resonating statement: “Insecurity about masculinity breeds homophobia: the fear that other men will unmask us, emasculate us, reveal to us and the world that we do not measure up, that we are not real men.” In the context of the incel community, who are influenced by individuals like Tate, fixate on perceived inadequacies in masculinity and direct their frustrations toward women, leading to a cycle of misogyny and violence.  Many incels harbour insecurities about their masculinity, often due to perceived inadequacies in areas such as physical appearance, social status, or sexual experience. This fear of not being seen as a “real man” by society or other men can manifest as hostility towards anything perceived as feminine or non-conforming. Individuals within the incel community become fixated on their perceived failures to meet societal expectations of masculinity like being sexually successful or dominant. This fuels feelings of inadequacy and resentment towards women, whom they see as the gatekeepers of male validation and acceptance. Because these young men are unable to achieve the idealized version of masculinity as promoted by the likes of Andrew Tate, incels redirect their frustrations and anger toward women, blaming them for rejecting them romantically or sexually. This can lead to the objectification of women, feelings of entitlement, and ultimately, a cycle of misogyny and violence as highlighted in the documentary through the likes of Rodger or Minassian.

Although toxic masculinity still has an overwhelming grasp, there are ways to confront and change toxic masculinity into positive forms. Kimmel provides a road map for tearing down harmful gender norms and behaviours with his focus on promoting empathy, respect, and inclusivity. One way people may contribute to the creation of a more welcoming and equitable society is by promoting open discussions about gender and masculinity. Efforts that fight toxic masculinity, like those featured in “Inside Incel,” also provide promise for resolving systemic problems like homophobia and misogyny where the perspective of a young man was completely transformed by just listening and being given the correct information. Education, the promotion of inclusiveness and the redefinition of masculinity as proposed by Kimmel is the key to creating a just and more positive society.

Blog 2: Rethinking Masculinity

Lately, more extremist groups and online communities have been promoting racism, hate against women, and hate against gays. This shows there are big problems with how some men act and think. Michael Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia” says traditional ideas of manhood are tied to homophobia, sexism, and violence. We can see this connection in two recent documentaries we watched. Vice’s Charlottesville: Race and Terror is about the violent white nationalist rally in 2017. The CBC’s Inside Incel looks at the incel movement. Both documentaries show men acting in harmful ways because of bad ideas about manhood.

In both documentaries, young white men show a hyper masculine desire for dominance, aggression, and violence for status and identity. As educator James explained in his recent talk at Vanier College, boys and men often adopt toxic masculine behaviors like bullying and misogyny due to social pressures and online influences. The white nationalists in Charlottesville chant violent, racist slogans at counter protesters. Their actions stem from a sense of threatened masculinity and desire to assert dominance over women and other minority groups. Similarly, in the incel movement comes from men’s entitlement of being rejected romantically or sexually by women. This drives some incels like Alek Minassian to commit deadly violence against women, revealing the disturbing connection between toxic masculinity and extremism.

As Kimmel argues, homophobia is central to traditional norms of masculinity which require men to constantly prove their heterosexuality and distance themselves from any feminine qualities or behaviors. The white nationalists in Charlottesville show deep homophobia in their hyper masculine posturing and attacks on LGBTQ and other different individuals. Homophobia also pervades the incel movement, as incels frequently use homophobic slurs like faggot to belitter any man perceived as weak, over emotional, and/or feminine. This suggests homophobia remains a key component of toxic masculinity today.

Educators like Will James must actively counter these harmful norms by promoting inclusive, compassionate models of masculinity in schools and online spaces. As Kimmel emphasizes, we must challenge the idea that qualities like empathy and respect are inherently feminine and make clear that real men reject violence, racism, misogyny and homophobia. With persistence and courage, we can transform masculinity into a positive force advancing equality, nonviolence and social justice.

In conclusion, the documentaries Charlottesville and Inside Incel show that some men still follow harmful ideas about manhood. They think men must be tough, hate gays, and control women. This causes violence and hate. Teachers should show boys better ways to be men. They can teach that real men show kindness, stand up to bullies, and treat everyone equally. This will help stop extremist groups and make schools and society safer. We must guide boys to become good men who care about people. This will create a world with less hate and more peace.

Kimmel, Michael. Masculinity as Homophobia. 1994.

Charlottesville: Race and Terror. YouTube, Vice News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54sP0Nlngg&t=5s.

Inside Incel, CBC, The Fifth Estate, 27 Jan. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWjCHPg9gA.

James, Will, Online Influencers, Toxic Masculinity, and the Classroom, Vanier College,

Exploring the link between incel ideology and extremism

Dalia Tatta

A woman’s place has always been chosen by a man. Her place has always been clear, and inferior until the 20th century, or so we thought. When further examining incel’s beliefs and behaviours as well as the qualities possessed by Charlottesville protesters; we begin to notice the extreme extent they will go to to radicalize these violent behaviours. With the help of Kimmel’s essay, Will James’ speech and both documentaries, I will be examining how the shared beliefs between incels and white supremacists stem from the idea that men use violence in situations where they feel powerless. We illuminate their responsibility for online radicalization of creating violent ideologies. We can further examine this degrading behaviour through interviews with participants, analysis of the documentaries and by examining the online forums used. These equally connect themselves in perspective to Kimmel’s paper and how men are not allowed to be “sissies”.

When interviewing both incels and white supremacy communities we begin to understand that their violent “male” mindset is adopted due to fear of not being man enough. We learn their motivations and how they perceive others. This illuminates the thin line that intersects the similarities and likeness of inceldom and white supremacy. This can be explained by the shared fear of both communities. For incels, their hatred of towards women can be explained by their fear of rejection. This fear of rejection and involuntarily being celibate over time causes them to adopt violent behaviours towards women. In the case of Alex Minassian, he had no one to talk to about this rejection. This lead him to find incel communities online which fueled his hatred for women and fed into the violent ideology brewing in him. Christopher Cantwell, the man the Charlottesville documentary, mainly followed shows that his hatred deeply stems from fear and the need to physically overpower others. When in his hotel room he shows all his guns and knives proudly to spread fear to others. While this is just a projection of his fears of not being man enough or strong enough. Again Cantwell stating he’s not afraid to use them is a desperate attempt to seem powerful as a man should, but when further analyzing him we understand it is a mask of fear. Kimmel develops this idea throughout his text, using examples similar to Chantwell, who feels the need to present themselves as physically powerful. “Manhood is equated with power over women, over other men.”. (Kimmel 49). These two case studies are deeply connected as their ideas of what being a man is is deeply connected to power. Being in power or having power and control over situations allows them to feel manly. Their testimonies allow us to understand why their perception of people of colour and women makes them fear that they no longer have control over their lives and that they inevitably can’t control their environment.

      By highlighting the roles of these ideologies, we understand how they are contributing factors to the mobilization of acts of violence and extremism due to powerlessness. When examining the sources spoken to in the documentary, we begin to reveal how this convergence to incel ideology and white supremacy may have started. When interviewing a former classmate of Alex Minassian, it’s important to note that he was often made fun of and rejected by those around him. From a young age, the bullying already set him as an outcast to the students, especially romantically. The lack of resources for Alex may be what led him to confide in online forums. As mentioned in Will James’ speech, early prevention and education about masculinities at school could have made a difference in Minessians’ future actions. Once incorporated into the forum, his hatred of others and women is fortified and justified by others who feel similarly. As for Christopher, when growing up in the Deep South in secluded white areas, ignorance towards others is a natural occurrence and it is ingrained in the mindset today as well. When speaking to a local of Charlottesville, she mentions how the city is predominantly back and still faces a lot of racism. This goes to show that it is bigger than just one riot; it has been a generational ignorance that was tolerated for too long. Now, others continue to embrace the disgusting extremism. It is important to note that both of these are forms of hatred to a specific group of people and they are both visible minorities. Part of Kimmel’s text dives into this concept, the instinct of men wanting to be alpha and dominate, he develops the idea that “masculinity is about the drive for domination, the drive for power and conquest”. (Kimmel 49). They will do so by any means; which, in this case, is physical domination. Inceldom and white supremacy both share the common interest of violence and extremism to get a message across. All to say, this is being conducted to show power and instill fear in those around them.

      Both groups share misogynistic perspectives and the sense of societal entitlement caused by their need for violence in moments of powerlessness. Through extensive analysis of online forums used by both parties, incel and white supremacy communities, we see why there is significant overlap in ideologies. For the Charlottesville riot, the online thread of racist tweets and the ability of the group to round up thousands online for a riot is beyond. When investigating they demonstrate no remorse or filter for using slurs and expressing extremist opinions. The incel groups online all converge with one another through platforms like Reddit and feed into one another’s degrading thoughts. In essence, both are vicious cycles of hatred through online platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Reddit etc. It is interesting to note that each participant feels entitled to feeling hatred towards others. Instead of speaking to counsellors or doing some self-reflection, the chosen methods of resolution are using violence and imposing fear. Kimmel states, “Homophobia is the fear that other men will unmask us, emasculate us, reveal to us and the world that we do not measure up that we are not real men.” (Kimmel 147). That is why the men interviewed feel the need to overcompensate online. Those spoken to in the documentaries find it easier to self-justify their actions instead of reflecting on the situation and how they are practicing things such as toxic masculinity, misogyny, racism and extremism. It connects itself to the deeper meanings of Will James’s speech that he neglected to include. Overall, the bigger picture comes down to the fact that the online forums undo any positive masculinity that may have been deep down in the participants. These forums fail to encourage how to positively deal with these feelings. Instead, they promote violent self-justifying behaviour.

The nexus between these two case studies allows viewers to see that there is a very thin line between the root beliefs of inceldom and white supremacy. Both stem from the inability to be a macho man. As well as the fear of not being man enough, whether that be due to rejection or fear of physical overpowerment. All of these things are seen as threats hence the whole point for the outlandish behaviour in the first place. Through thorough analysis of the interviews with participants, analyzing the documentaries themselves and digging into these online forums it proves the correlation between feeling powerless and the use of violence. All of these areas intertwine with the ideas of what being a real man is. And these participants allow us to see beyond the many different facades into the insecurities of these men. How they manage to transform their insecurities about manhood into hatred for others where they feel compelled to use force to prove themselves. However, as similarly mentioned by Will James, instead of practicing positive masculinity that does not harm, harass or categorize others in the process, these men continue to hide misogyny, homophobia and aggression behind what they seem to believe are “traditional values”.

Western Manhood: a Quest for Power

In Western culture, since childhood men are taught that violence is the ultimate way of asserting power. Violence – often masked by different ideologies such as racism, sexism, homophobia – is still a very concerning issue nowadays; the extremist ideologies gain a lot of support amongst western men. Some examples of violent acts of racism and sexism are demonstrated in the documentaries “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel”. In the essay “Masculinity as Homophobia”, Michael Kimmel explains why western men tend to adhere to discriminative ideologies, such as racism and sexism. Will James, in his presentation “Insights on Toxic Masculinity” also expresses his concerns about the repercussions of such discriminative ideologies. Kimmel and Will James prove that extreme ideologies supported by Western men – as demonstrated in both documentaries – are often caused by the normalization of violence as a way to assert manhood power. The documentary “Inside Incel” shows how sexism sparks from toxic masculinity and the documentary  “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” provides cases of violent racism caused by the Western manhood culture. 

Extreme sexism, as demonstrated in the film “ Inside Incel ” often splurges from men’s attempts to assert their “manly power”. The word “ Incel ” stands for “involuntary celibate”; incels are men who were rejected by women and started hating them as a consequence. The documentary provides the story of a few well-known incels, among which is Alek Minassian. Alek Minassian is 25 y.o. white male who drove a van into pedestrians in Toronto in april 2018. He killed 10 and injured 16 people, mostly aiming at women. Minassian’s classmate tells about his school years to the journalist, stating that he was bullied and laughed upon. He did not stand any chance with women. Kimmel describes in his essay the feeling of powerlessness of certain men: “they are the feelings of men who were raised to believe themselves entitled to feel that power, but do not feel it. No wonder many men are frustrated and angry”. The culture of western manhood still promotes the idea that men dominate over women; Alek Minassian did in fact feel powerless and weak as he was bullied and rejected. He tried to feel his power by killing and injuring people which he deemed as “weaker”. According to Kimmel, powerlessness is the birthpoint of male violence. Another example of violent sexism shown in the documentary is “Elliot Rodger’s Retribution”. Elliot roger is a white male who killed 6 people and injured another 14 on 23 may 2014. The documentary provides excerpts from a recording that he posted before the killing spree; he says in the recording: “I will slaughter every single spoiled, stuck up blonde slut. You will finally see that I am, in truth, the superior one, the true alpha male”. Elliot Rodger was never getting attention from women although he was convinced women owe him sex. He felt powerless in his attempts with girls, so he tried to gain back this feeling of power by acting violent towards women. He says in another excerpt of a video: “I’ve experienced nothing but loneliness and misery, and my problem is girls”. He blames his unrealised fantasies of domination over the whole female gender, and decides to take his revenge by exterminating them. Kimmel writes in his essay: “Men’s feelings are not the feelings of the powerful, but of those who see themselves as powerless”; his passage explains the feeling of powerlessness of Elliot Rodger. The documentary “Inside Incel” shows many cases of violence caused by men trying to feel their male power by committing massacres against women.

Another issue splurging from the desire of Western men to assert their power over others is extreme racism ; some cases of it are demonstrated in the documentary  “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”. A big community of white male extremists assembled their hate towards people of color in a rally in Charlottesville. Elle Reeve – the journalist for VICE news – talks with Christopher Cantwell – a white nationalist and “Unite the Right” speaker – and questions him on violence. While Cantwell was going on about the violence of the non-western people, Reeve asked whether he thinks white people are capable of violence, to which he answered: ”of course we’re capable: I carry a pistol, I go to the gym all the time, I’m trying to make myself more capable of violence”. Kimmel writes in his essay: “Violence is often the single most evident marker of manhood. Rather it is the willingness to fight, the desire to fight”. The echo of Kimmel’s thoughts is seen in how Cantwell propagates violence as a trait that all men should possess. He enforces his supremacy as a white male by excluding people of color to assert his superiority over them and their race. The documentary also showcases the actions and ideology of the “Unite the Right” extremist movement. This movement’s speaker voices the need to eliminate all non-western people from their country as they make the life in the country worse. Kimmel writes in his essay: “others still rehearse the politics of exclusion, as if by clearing away the playing field of secure gender identity of any that we deem less than manly-women, gay men, nonnative-born men, men of color-middle-class, straight, white men can reground their sense of themselves”. Following up on the “Unite the Right” movement, their ideology bases itself on the desire to elevate the Western manhood by eliminating other races that they deem unworthy, as Kimmel explains in the said passage. White men feel like they lose their power while racial diversity is becoming common; they want to exclude other races so their race remains superior. Those problems are also voiced up by Will James, who talks in his presentation about the power struggle between boys in childhood. As violence is normalized in western manhood, it is common that men’s desire for power results in violent attitude; racism is just another ideology used by Western males to assert power over others. 

In summary, both aggressive sexism – as shown in the film “Inside Incel” and extreme racism – as shown in the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” are caused by the desire of Western men to feel their power. Kimmel and Will James explain how extreme ideologies shown in both documentaries are the consequence of the normalization of violence as a staple character trait in western manhood. Even today, while western education starts to spread the ideas of acceptance, discrimination based on race, gender and sexuality is quite present. Nowadays, the discriminative ideologies arise not from education but from people that continue to enforce them on others. By eliminating the common stereotypes of the “superior male gender”, perhaps there is a chance or reducing many acts of violence caused by men who are scared of their powerlessness.

Rethinking masculinity: Unveiling societal fractures

In an era marked by social upheavals and cultural transformations, documentaries serve as a mirror reflecting the complexities of our society. “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel” delve into two distinct yet interconnected contemporary themes: racial tensions and the rise of involuntary celibates (Incels). By drawing Michael Kimmel’s insights on masculinity and Will James’s exploration of male identity in digital spaces, this analysis will demonstrate how toxic masculinity manifests differently in the context depicted in those documentaries, ultimately contributing to broader discussions on gender, power and social dynamics.

Michael Kimmel’s concept that homophobia is a central organizing principle of manhood and is more than the fear of gay men is exemplified in the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”. The white supremacist ideology perpetuated by the people featured in the video represents an extreme manifestation of hegemonic masculinity in which power, dominance and control are central beliefs. They feel superior to the LGBTQ2+ community as if they are “normal” compare to them, because they considered themselves as straight masculine males but Kimmel’s analysis helps us understand how this toxic form of masculinity not only fuel racial violence but also serves as a mechanism for maintaining societal hierarchies based on gender and race.

Will James’ exploration of male identity in digital spaces offers valuable insights into the world of involuntary celibates, as depicted in the documentary “Inside Incel.” People are on Internet more than ever before and men are not exempted of that. Generally, this type of men doesn’t have a lot of social interactions and isolate themselves so they go online to release their anger on strangers, notably women who seem out of reach to them. It also highlights how online communities provide a platform for men to express their frustrations and grievances, often amplifying toxic beliefs and reinforcing harmful stereotypes about masculinity. Through this perspective, we can analyze ourselves how the anonymity and accessibility of digital platform facilitate the proliferation of toxic masculinity, contributing to the radicalization of individuals who feel marginalized.

In conclusion, the documentaries, “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel” offer thought-provoking narratives that highlights the multifaceted nature of toxic masculinity in today’s society. By applying the insights of Michael Kimmel and Will James, we gain a deeper understanding of how masculinity works in different social and cultural contexts and how digital spaces influence the construction of male identity. These analyses underscore the urgent need for addressing toxic masculinity as a societal issue, as its consequences resound through various aspects of our lives, from racial tension to online radicalization. Only through continued efforts to challenge gender norms can we hope to foster healthier, more inclusive environment for all individuals.

Blog 2: Supremacy and Inferiority

Today, masculinity has been defined in many ways, some in a toxic way while others in a positive light. Through two documentaries, people can discover two different extremes of masculinity. By using Micheal Kimmel’s article and Will James’ talk, we can analyze the two vastly different yet similar behaviours of the people in these documentaries. White supremacists and Incels exemplify toxic masculinity, marked by violence, dominance, and fear of losing power. With the two documentaries, we can witness and understand their behaviour.

What is considered a person practicing toxic masculinity? According to Will James, toxic masculinity is “an attitude or set of social guidelines stereotypically associated with manliness that often harm men, women, and society in general” that is characterized by violence, dominance, sexual aggression towards women, stoicism, hiding our feelings, and extreme independence. Michael Kimmel sees toxic masculinity as a restrictive definition of manhood enforced through societal norms, perpetuated by fear of appearing feminine or weak. This leads to the marginalization of those who do not conform, the glorification of violence, and the reinforcement of inequalities such as sexism and homophobia. He claims that the “great secret of American manhood” is that men fear other men. In the two videos presented in class, we can see behaviour that can be classified as toxic masculinity.

The first documentary, Charlottesville: Race and Terror uploaded by Vice News, was a documentary on the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, with one side being the white supremacists, the neo-Nazis, and the other side being multiple minorities. The right side was protesting the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee and was trying to unify all the white nationalists. They were not afraid of using extreme measures to get their point across, going as far as killing people. This goes hand in hand with both Kimmel’s and James’ characterization of toxic masculinity, the usage of violence to assert their dominance over minorities. Not only that, in Kimmel’s analysis of toxic masculinity, he emphasizes the fear that men have of other men, particularly in situations where their perceived power or dominance is challenged. In the context of the Charlottesville rally, this fear is evident among the white nationalists who feel threatened by the presence and perceived influence of minorities. Their resort to violence, as documented in the Vice News documentary, reflects an attempt to assert their dominance and maintain their sense of superiority. This fear of losing control or being displaced by others, as exemplified by their response to the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue and the perceived threat of minority empowerment, aligns with Kimmel’s assertion that men often resort to extreme measures when confronted with challenges to their masculinity or status. These white nationalists felt threatened by other men who seemingly held more power over them, as can be seen when the men interviewed say that the non-white people were taking over “their” land. They were heard screaming homophobic, antisemitic, and racist comments as well. As the video continues, they truly believe that they are right and that anything else is wrong. These men aren’t afraid of showing violence, yet they are afraid of change. At one point we discover that someone from the alt-right killed a protester with their car. When Cristopher Cantwell, one of the leaders of the white nationalist side, was asked on this matter, he insisted on the fact that it was a good thing, that the protester deserved to die. He held no empathy towards the victim and felt no remorse, a behaviour that characterizes toxic masculinity according to Will James. The only clear emotion was extreme anger that caused equally extreme violence. The white supremacists cling to a narrow definition of masculinity, enforced by societal norms, which is understood as power and control being essential traits of manhood. When faced with challenges to this masculinity, such as the removal of symbols they associate with their identity, the statue of Robert, they react violently to assert their dominance and maintain their sense of power. Additionally, their hatred and aggression towards minorities are fueled by a sense of entitlement to privileges they believe are inherent to their racial identity.

Similarly, the second documentary, Inside Incel uploaded by CBC, The Fifth Estate, was an online phenomenon that extended to the outside world. This phenomenon was characterized by men practicing involuntary celibacy, also known as Incels. These Incels would go into an online forum and discuss their hatred towards the world, more specifically towards women as they are seen as the root of all evil. In a desperate attempt to justify their anger towards a world where that brutally rejected their existence, these Incels went as far as saying that they are entitled to having women and that they deserve what other men deserve, successfully objectifying women. Some even killed people in their anger, one case being Alex Minassian. He ran over multiple women, killing over a dozen of them. As he was hailed as a martyr for their cause, Incels took his case to heart and started killing people as well. In Michael Kimmel’s analysis of masculinity, particularly concerning feminist perspectives, he acknowledges the theory posed by feminist women that masculinity is often associated with a “drive for domination, the drive for power, for conquest.” This theory suggests that societal expectations of masculinity can lead men to seek dominance and control over others as a means of affirming their masculinity. In the case of Incels, who feel rejected and marginalized by society, particularly by women, their resort to violence can be seen as an attempt to assert power and control in a world where they feel powerless. Their sense of entitlement to women and the anger resulting from perceived rejection fuel their desire to restore their dominance through violent means. This aligns with Kimmel’s understanding of masculinity as intertwined with power dynamics and the pursuit of dominance, especially in response to perceived challenges to one’s masculinity. They use violence to restore their dominance over others, wanting to be accepted in a society that is supposed to cater to them. Another claim that Kimmel makes is that men’s feelings are feelings of “men who were raised to believe themselves entitled to feel that power, but do not feel it.” The Incels exhibit violent behaviours driven by feelings of rejection and powerlessness. As they are unable to fulfil societal expectations of masculinity, particularly concerning romantic and sexual success, they harbour resentment towards women and society. This sense of entitlement to owning women, coupled with a belief that they are unjustly denied what they perceive as what they deserve, fuels their anger and aggression. The online forums they frequent serve as echo chambers that reinforce their toxic beliefs and justify their violent actions as a means of reclaiming power and control.

In conclusion, while white supremacists and Incels may be very different groups of men, they share a lot in common, notably their violence towards others different from them. They use violence, fueled by pure anger to restore their power and dominance in a world that does not accept them as men. Many other types of extremist views of masculinity exist in the world, all of which cause harm to others and don’t solve the problem the extremists have. Will James offered a beautiful way of teaching the younger generation about positive masculinity by creating a book of activities centered around spreading healthier masculinity. In a world where toxic masculinity prevails, people must create a more inclusive definition of masculinity to quell this thirst for violence and power. We must ask ourselves what kind of society do we want to create.

Kimmel, Michael. Masculinity as Homophobia. 1994.
Charlottesville: Race and Terror. YouTube, Vice News, 14 Aug. 2017,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54sP0Nlngg&t=5s. Accessed 28 Mar. 2022.
Inside Incel, CBC, The Fifth Estate, 27 Jan. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWjCHPg9gA.
Accessed 25 Sept. 2023.
James, Will, Online Influencers, Toxic Masculinity, and the Classroom, Vanier College, March 5, 2024

Violence and Powerlessness

March 19, 2024 Luca Ragosta

               What does it mean to be a man? Some may say a muscular man, others might say a businessman. But what do these examples both have in common. They both have power. The idea of a man is directly associated with the idea of power. Because of this, certain men, as we will see in this essay, feel powerless since they do not fit the image of what it means to be a “man.”  Due to the powerlessness these men feel, they often resort to violence as a way of obtaining power. We can see that certain groups of men, such as the white supremacists at Charlottesville and the incels attacking women, use violence to no longer feel powerless.

 Firstly, we can analyse the case of the white supremacists at Charlottesville, and how these men resort to violence to solve the issue of their powerlessness. According to Michael Kimmel, these men feel powerless because they feel as if they do not have control over their own lives. Whether it be in their relationships with their wives or in the workplace with their bosses, these men feel as if they are weak men who do not fit the image of a masculine man. The idea of a masculine man is a man who is not told what to do and controls everything in his life, including the women he is with. These men, therefore, feel as if there is someone responsible for them not being in power of their own lives. However, instead of realizing it is due to the institutions put in place in society, such as capitalism and the patriarchy, they instead blame their issues on people such as immigrants, Black people, Jewish people and other groups. Why does my boss treat me like shit? Because he’s Jewish! Why can’t I get a job? Because of the immigrants! Why don’t I have control in my relationship? Because feminism gave her too many rights! We can see here that marginalized communities are often the targets of these men and are utilized as scapegoats for the powerlessness they feel. 

Secondly, we can analyze how incels use violence to regain power as a means of getting power in their final moments. According to Michael Kimmel, manhood is considered the ability to have power over many things, including women. Therefore, if you are unable to go out with a woman, then you are not really seen as a man. This is a problem many incels face. Incels are men who, due to their appearance or their neurodivergence, are unable to go out with women. Because of this, many of them have simply given up on the prospect of going out with a woman as well as the prospect of living life. Many of these incels are unhappy people who have lost all hope in having a family when they grow up. This powerlessness turns into anger, and instead of working to better themselves, they instead blame their problems on women. They therefore become radicalized and start to believe women deliberately do not go out with them for evil reasons. Many of these men end up going online and, as Will James mentioned, end up finding groups of men who think the same way they do. They then become radicalized and join these echo chambers in which they begin to despise women. This powerlessness combined with their views of women causes many of them to decide to commit violent acts towards women as an act of revenge towards what they see as their enemies.

               In conclusion, we can how the powerlessness causes many of these men to act in violence manners to feel a sense of control. These men feel unhappy and discontent with their lives and, instead of working to solve the issue through meaningful change, they instead decide to find a scapegoat for all their issues, as, it is not only easier but also gives them an excuse for all their difficulties and struggles in life.

Charlottesville: Race and Terror. YouTube, Vice News, 14 Aug. 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54sP0Nlngg&t=5s. Accessed 28 Mar. 2022.
Inside Incel, CBC, The Fifth Estate, 27 Jan. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWjCHPg9gA. Accessed 25 Sept. 2023.

James, Will, Online Influencers, Toxic Masculinity, and the Classroom, Vanier College, March 5, 2024

Blog 2: Rethinking Masculinity

Within our society, masculinity and its constructs are often conflated with ideas of dominance and anger. Aggression is key in this toxic belief, and all feelings of vulnerability or fear must be suppressed, as they are thought to be weak and feminine. Various outlets and movements are particularly susceptible to this ideology of masculinity, and several documentaries we have watched in class shed light on these groups. Documentaries such as “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel” portray the hate filled views of such movements, such as uncles and the far-right. Michael Kimmel’s essay “Masculinity as Homophobia,” and Will James’ presentation on “Online Influencers, Toxic Masculinity, and the Classroom” further delved deep into the psyche of toxic masculinity, and explained just why these radical groups emerged in our societies, due to the deep seeping influence of these damaging ideas into our culture and educational system. Throughout all these documentaries, essays, and presentations there is a clear view presented, that we must solve the societal influence of toxicity and hatred, and cure the fear of many men over things outside our traditional norms, to stop the rise of hatred and create a new culture of empathy.  

Kimmels’ essay was particularly important in understanding the root of toxic masculinity, as it delved into the idea that these beliefs were rooted not in hate, but rather in fear. For example, homophobia was rooted in the fear of being seen as weak or feminine, as well as the fear of societal expectations and ridicule from one’s peers if one does not behave in a certain way. This fear can lead men to adopt toxic facets of masculinity and behave in a very hate filled and violent way, in the hope of gaining more acceptance from peers who hold similar views. This fear and toxicity is displayed in “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”, where the insecurities and fears of the white supremacists manifest into violent acts of extremism and hatred, fueled by their desire to maintain power and control at all costs, as they fear that their grasp on this power over the country is slipping.

The documentary “Inside Incel” has a similar effect of displaying the reasoning and beliefs of another violent subculture. Often angered and disillusioned with society over their lack of sexual success, this group of involuntary celibates (incels), hold much hatred and resentment towards women and society as a whole, who they view as the cause of the problems. Kimmel’s essay also holds true to this segment of toxic masculinity, as fears over inadequacy and loneliness manifest into an aggressive ideology of dominance and control over women. They try to hide their insecurities through a mask of hatred, and in doing so propagate harmful sexist beliefs which they believe will solve their celibacy problem.

Will James’ presentation of the presence of toxic masculinity in educational spaces promotes the idea in Kimmel’s essay that society only furthers these fears of things not traditionally masculine, as institutions such as school help to propagate such beliefs onto young men, who are then pressured by others under the same societal norms to behave and think in ways which further spread harmful beliefs. We cannot hope to end toxic masculinity if it’s notions on gender and behavior are ingrained within even the most vital parts of our society such as education, and unless we teach boys and young men to treat people with empathy and respect, and to prioritize communication over assumptions, these toxic beliefs will never be dismantled, and the propagation of this harmful ideology will only become more effective and powerful over time.

In conclusion, the documentaries “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel,” alongside Michael Kimmel’s essay and Will James’ presentation, paint a clear picture of not only how toxic masculinity emerges within society and grows through fear and pressure, but also just how damaging and hateful it can become if we allow it to poison the minds of men. Only through directly confronting the root of this masculine ideology, and dismantling the systems which create it, can we finally push towards societal acceptance of a much more empathetic and inclusive version of masculinity. If we strive to challenge traditional norms and ensure healthier environments for students, we can create a new system in society which strives on compassion rather than fear, and is equitable to all groups of men. It is important that we solve this pressing issue, because as hate and anger continue to grow and create new groups based on hatred of people and society, only by solving what causes this anger can we eliminate it from our society.

Blog 2: Masculinity as Homophobia

by Theodore Galiatsatos – March 26th, 2024

When considering the definition of the word “homophobia”, the first thought that comes to mind is often its definition as the irrational fear of LGBTQIA+ individuals. However, when considering the definition of the word from a masculine perspective, it can also be considered literally: “homo” and “phobia”, meaning an irrational fear of men. By dissecting the word “homophobia” into its components -”homo” and “phobia” – Michael S. Kimmel unveils a new and profound insight in his work Masculinity as Homophobia: at its core, homophobia may also signify a personal dread of not meeting the societal standards of masculinity – standards that can change from one place to the next. Through this masculine lens, homophobia becomes a manifestation, or paranoia, of the fear that other men will expose one’s inadequacies, leaving one vulnerable to emasculation. In Masculinity as Homophobia, Kimmel defines homophobia as “the fear (or paranoia) that other men will unmask us, emasculate us, reveal to us and the world that we do not measure up, that we are not real men” (Kimmel 1), further promoting this idea. Masculinity as Homophobia develops this definition even further in an attempt to explain why men act a certain way – out of fear that they would be deemed unmasculine by others – and why certain extremist groups can be formed from this paranoia. Examples that prove Kimmel’s definition can be found in publications other than texts, such as VICE News’ Charlottesville: Race and Terror and The Fifth Estate’s Inside Incel: Alek Minassian and Online Misogyny, as well as public speeches such as the talk from Will James.

Kimmel’s definition resonates with a large number of men, since most men share this paranoia. It is known that the definition of masculinity is constructed around rigid norms and expectations. Within this construct, any deviation from the prescribed ideals of manhood can evoke anxiety and insecurity in men, since others might pick up on these deviations and emasculate those who break the norms. And so, how do men combat this fear? They usually turn to violence and isolation, since those two methods appear to work best at concealing one’s insecurities. Consequently, individuals may resort to defensive posturing and aggression to safeguard their perceived masculinity, perpetuating a cycle of fear and oppression. Moreover, Kimmel’s analysis extends beyond individual psychology to elude the dynamics of group behavior and extremist ideologies. By positing that homophobia stems from a collective paranoia about failing to embody ‘true’ masculinity, he offers a framework for understanding the formation of extremist groups such as white supremist Neo-Nazis and incels. These groups often coalesce around the shared fear of emasculation, employing violence and discrimination as tools to assert dominance and maintain their perceived superiority as a means to hide their insecurities behind a temporary facade.

VICE News’ Charlottesville: Race and Terror depicts the effects that masculine homophobia can have on racial violence, and how this “group mentality” bolsters confidence in insecure men whilst also increasing their violent tendencies. Throughout the documentary, various groups of white Neo-Nazis are seen gathering together to quell protesters clamoring for the removal of a statue in Charlottesville. Throughout the interview, several violent attacks are started by the white mob, such as the first attack at the start of the film, wherein many men use racism as a means to justify their violence, clamoring “Whose streets? Our streets!” at the top of their lungs. However, most of the men depicted appear to be, at a glance, insecure about their social supremacy as white individuals – their perceived power, once the status quo in a bygone era, is no longer in the modern day and age. By uniting under a common banner, these men find a way to hide those insecurities whilst promoting their more masculine facades. However, these violent tendencies can easily reach a point where they become criminal: near to the end of the interviews, a scene is depicted where a Neo-Nazi drives his car into a crowd of protesters, injuring many and killing one, before quickly driving away. When asked as to why the driver might have done what he did, the main interviewee – a man by the name of Christopher Cantwell – invents a completely bizarre reason, fully ignoring what truly occurred, stating that the driver felt threatened by the attacking mob. Charlottesville: Race and Terror therefore vividly depicts the consequences of unchecked masculinity and its effects on racism, and how Neo-Nazi groups can be formed from the insecurities of individual men when faced with the perceived “threat” imposed by non-white individuals.

Another prime example of the effects of masculine insecurity can stem from The Fifth Estate’s Inside Incel: Alek Minassian and Online Misogyny. Unlike the Neo-Nazis who feel insecure about their surroundings, incels (involuntary celibates) are people who tend to be insecure about themselves and how women perceive them. The end result is rather similar to the Neo-Nazis and how they unite, however in the case of incels they unite in the digital world on forums and chat rooms hidden from mainstream media. Will James, a public speaker who spoke to a group of students at Vanier College recently, further warned the student body of the risks that these online influences can have on younger men, and how these influences can further promote incel behavior online. These incel groups use misogyny as a means to promote their violence in a similar way that Neo-Nazis use blatant racism. Through interviews with former incels and experts, the documentary exposes the beliefs of these individuals, who harbor resentment and hostility towards women for not conforming to their idealized standards of femininity. Within the incel community, masculinity is often equated with sexual conquest and dominance over women. The inability to attract romantic partners is perceived as a personal failure and a direct affront to one’s masculinity. This sense of emasculation fuels a culture of resentment and misogyny, where women are objectified and dehumanized. As the title suggests, Alek Minassian, the perpetrator of the 2018 Toronto van attack, serves as a focal point for understanding the extreme consequences of unchecked misogyny and male entitlement. Alek Minassian’s heinous act, in which he deliberately targeted pedestrians, predominantly women, echoes the sentiments espoused within the incel community. His actions were fueled by a sense of entitlement and a desire to exact revenge on society for his perceived rejection. By delving into Minassian’s online activities and interactions with fellow incels, the documentary exposes the very same chat rooms that reinforce and validate extremist ideologies rooted in misogyny and male supremacy.

Ultimately, Kimmel’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between insecure men and how they chose to unite through violence to hide their insecurities, urging us to confront the roots of homophobia and strive for a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of gender identity before these violent acts propagate through the next generation of men in our society.

Blog 2 : Rethinking Masculinity

As much as in the present than in the past, certain individuals, mainly men, often proceed to demonstrate their power and superiority, also to show that they are the ones that are right and that are taking all the decisions. Masculinity, a concept that has been deeply established in societal constructs, has been associated with societal norms, individual perceptions, and expectations towards men. Its complexity is being discussed by many people and from various perspectives, reflecting the definition of masculinity through different context. This reality is brought by the documentaries “Charlottesville: Race and Terror” and “Inside Incel”, and by Michael Kimmel’s essay, “Masculinity as Homophobia”, highlighting the toxic masculinity by the use of violence that contribute to the ideologies of racism, sexism, and homophobia/transphobia.

Firstly, Michael Kimmel mentions in his essay that; “Violence is often the single most evident marker of manhood. Rather it is the willingness to fight, the desire to fight.” He is saying that violence is often equated with masculinity and seen as an important characteristic of manhood. Violence is important for masculinity, because for a long period of years, they have always been using it to protect themselves, to choose who are right, to show their superiority, and more. For example, in the documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror”, the Charlottesville’s incident that occurred in 2017, two groups of people with two different ideologies fought for the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The people identified as White Supremist who want to protect the statue, fought against their counter-protesters who tries to remove it and demolish it. White Supremist believe that their country got destroyed because of these immigrants, so they wish that the United States to go back to only white population. Christopher Cantwell, the leader of the White Supremist rally called “Unite the Right”, calls his counter-protesters “animals”, which proves their strong ideology of racism. In addition, a person from the white supremist side drove his car directly into a crowd of their counter-protesters, resulting few deaths and many injured people. Christopher Cantwell and his allies are saying that this action was completely fair because that is their way of fighting. These men are not hesitating to use violence, since they think that it is the right thing to do to show their superiority.

Secondly, the documentary “Inside Incel” exposes some incel community that showcases discriminatory attitudes and behaviors towards women, which could be associated with “hegemonic masculinity” that has been discussed by Will James. Toby, a member of the incel community mentions sexist and misogynistic claims such as “women are not fit to vote”, or calling women “dogs”, which means that he isn’t considering the two genders equally, and associating women as slaves and not as humans. Other than verbally discriminating women, some incels used physical violence to murder women. From the same documentary, on April 23^rd, 2018, in north Toronto, a rented white van went on the sidewalk with the clear purpose of killing the people walking there. The fact that most of the ran over victims were women, which proves that the man was targeting women. Another case where a 22-year-old university student called Elliot Rodger caused car accidents killing 6 people and injured 14 people. Elliot Rodger who has always been hating girls and being bullied at school, decides to revenge. He thought that he would be able to show his superiority and dominance by using violence. Men getting rejected by women or getting bullied by others are holding anger issues, so they are more likely to suffer from psychological illness. Their anger issues are mostly rooted by the fear they have been experiencing. Even if these misogynist men are experiencing fear, they don’t want to show it because they are scared to be judged as “non-manly” as pointed out by Michael Kimmel; “Our fear is the fear of humiliation”. Michael Kimmel also shows how some men are putting down other men by referring them as “a girl”, which also shows sexism because it is the same thing as saying that women are weaker, and inferior compared to men.

To conclude, the two documentaries and Michael Kimmel’s text showed the toxic side of masculinity that not many people talk about. More people should be aware that it causes negative impacts such as harming themselves and others, hiding their emotions and feelings, and always forcing themselves to meet the expectations of a real man.