Ironic Distancing: Injecting Bigotry into the American Mainstream
Loading...
Authors
Prather, Glen Franklin
Issue Date
2025
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alt-right , Bigotry , GamerGate , Irony , MAGA , Memes
Alternative Title
Abstract
This dissertation defines ironic distancing as a particular function of the trope of
irony used to deny a speaker’s agency and/or responsibility for a statement by claiming,
often post-hoc, that the ostensible meaning of their statement has been misinterpreted
and was, in fact, meant to be interpreted ironically. The strategic ambiguity of this ironic
polysemy allows for statements to avoid criticism by being framed as mere jokes or
having an ironic meaning opposed to the ostensible meaning. This denial of rhetorical
agency often leads to rhetorical decay as defined by Holly Fulton-Babicke. This denial of
agency allows bigotry and other violent and dehumanizing rhetorics to remain in
contexts where they would usually be forbidden. This dissertation traces the evolution
and use of ironic distancing from early internet culture into real world political
applications and identities through the #GamerGate movement. From there, ironic
distancing became adopted by alt-right groups such as the Proud Boys, and then into
mainstream American politics through the MAGA movement up to and including the
political rhetoric of President Donald Trump and his rhetorical denial of the events of the
January 6th insurrection. Ironic distancing has now become a common way to inject
bigotry into mainstream situations, allowing for previously backstage discrimination to
become a normalized part of the American mainstream rhetorical environment.