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It Can Happen Here: White Power and the Rising Threat of Genocide in the US
A renowned expert on genocide argues that there is a real risk of violent atrocities happening in the United States
If many people were shocked by Donald Trump's 2016 election, many more were stunned when, months later, white supremacists took to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting "Blood and Soil" and "Jews will not replace us!" Like Trump, the Charlottesville marchers were dismissed as aberrations--crazed extremists who did not represent the real US. It Can Happen Here demonstrates that, rather than being exceptional, such white power extremism and the violent atrocities linked to it are a part of American history. And, alarmingly, they remain a very real threat to the US today.
Alexander Hinton explains how murky politics, structural racism, the promotion of American exceptionalism, and a belief that the US has have achieved a color-blind society have diverted attention from the deep roots of white supremacist violence in the US's brutal past. Drawing on his years of research and teaching on mass violence, Hinton details the warning signs of impending genocide and atrocity crimes, the tools used by ideologues to fan the flames of hate, and the shocking ways in which "us" versus "them" violence is supported by inherently racist institutions and policies.
It Can Happen Here is an essential new assessment of the dangers of contemporary white power extremism in the United States. While revealing the threat of genocide and atrocity crimes that loom over the country, Hinton offers actions we can take to prevent it from happening, illuminating a hopeful path forward for a nation in crisis.
If many people were shocked by Donald Trump's 2016 election, many more were stunned when, months later, white supremacists took to the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, chanting "Blood and Soil" and "Jews will not replace us!" Like Trump, the Charlottesville marchers were dismissed as aberrations--crazed extremists who did not represent the real US. It Can Happen Here demonstrates that, rather than being exceptional, such white power extremism and the violent atrocities linked to it are a part of American history. And, alarmingly, they remain a very real threat to the US today.
Alexander Hinton explains how murky politics, structural racism, the promotion of American exceptionalism, and a belief that the US has have achieved a color-blind society have diverted attention from the deep roots of white supremacist violence in the US's brutal past. Drawing on his years of research and teaching on mass violence, Hinton details the warning signs of impending genocide and atrocity crimes, the tools used by ideologues to fan the flames of hate, and the shocking ways in which "us" versus "them" violence is supported by inherently racist institutions and policies.
It Can Happen Here is an essential new assessment of the dangers of contemporary white power extremism in the United States. While revealing the threat of genocide and atrocity crimes that loom over the country, Hinton offers actions we can take to prevent it from happening, illuminating a hopeful path forward for a nation in crisis.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 8, 2021
About the author
Alexander Laban Hinton
20 books17 followersAlexander Hinton serves as the Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights and Professor in the Anthropology and Global Affairs Departments at Rutgers University, Newark.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 25, 2022
This doesn't quite manage to hit the notes I thought the contents of this book might. The title is what convinced me of the purchase, however, despite analysis of structural white supremacy, there was a lacklustre "Can It Be Prevented" chapter at the end. Why such an accusation from my end?
It's similar to a book I read: Ten Reasons to Delete Your Social Media a few months ago. The Authors, whilst sincere, intelligent and - especially evident in this books case - highly qualified on such subjects, seem to do intellectual gymnastics in avoiding a critique of the systemic issues that lead to white supremacy or social media addiction. They stop just short of actually laying the blame, to a large degree, at capitalism, profit accumulation prioritisation over humans and the natural world- and how this can decimate communities, create atomisation and fuel racism / poverty - and the incentives that guide people with power within such a system. This omission can be hidden to a degree when going through the 'critique' chapters of this work, but it really shows up when the reader approaches chapters that discuss "what can be done?". There's a huge gaping hole in the suggestions raised, that leads to discussions on piecemeal changes or institutional adjustments. All that went through my head when reading such suggestions was "why would this occur in the United States, when those in power, to a large degree, benefit from White Supremacy and how it fits comfortably into power relations within capitalism?"
It's similar to a book I read: Ten Reasons to Delete Your Social Media a few months ago. The Authors, whilst sincere, intelligent and - especially evident in this books case - highly qualified on such subjects, seem to do intellectual gymnastics in avoiding a critique of the systemic issues that lead to white supremacy or social media addiction. They stop just short of actually laying the blame, to a large degree, at capitalism, profit accumulation prioritisation over humans and the natural world- and how this can decimate communities, create atomisation and fuel racism / poverty - and the incentives that guide people with power within such a system. This omission can be hidden to a degree when going through the 'critique' chapters of this work, but it really shows up when the reader approaches chapters that discuss "what can be done?". There's a huge gaping hole in the suggestions raised, that leads to discussions on piecemeal changes or institutional adjustments. All that went through my head when reading such suggestions was "why would this occur in the United States, when those in power, to a large degree, benefit from White Supremacy and how it fits comfortably into power relations within capitalism?"
November 9, 2021
A little dry but I enjoyed the classroom conversation format. It's important to stay educated and keep learning and while I wouldn't recommend this for someone just delving into America's racist roots, it is good for anyone familiar with some of the concepts.
May 22, 2021
An academic paper pusher trying real hard to keep his business relevant. Yea, the sky is falling, and the Government needs to hire his NGO more often.
October 22, 2024
It Can Happen Here by Alexander Laban Hinton offers an insightful look into America’s past and present, framed through the lens of potential atrocities like genocide. The book’s classroom-style format makes you feel like you’re sitting in on one of Hinton’s Rutgers lectures, which is both engaging and educational. I appreciated how he approached complex topics—like white supremacy and cultural genocide—without feeling overly accusatory. He raises important questions that make you reflect on how easily things could unravel, even in a country like the U.S., which many of us think is immune to such horrors.
However, the book can feel repetitive. Some ideas were reintroduced so many times that I had to check if I had accidentally flipped back a few pages. The pacing slows down after a while, and it starts to drag, especially if you're already familiar with some of the topics covered. Though the book is definitely not for a novice who's just starting to explore America's deep-rooted issues, but for those who have a bit more of an understanding of the perils of white supremacy, there’s some value here.
Overall, It Can Happen Here offers important lessons and a lot to think about, but its repetition and slow pacing take away from the impact. A solid three stars from me.
However, the book can feel repetitive. Some ideas were reintroduced so many times that I had to check if I had accidentally flipped back a few pages. The pacing slows down after a while, and it starts to drag, especially if you're already familiar with some of the topics covered. Though the book is definitely not for a novice who's just starting to explore America's deep-rooted issues, but for those who have a bit more of an understanding of the perils of white supremacy, there’s some value here.
Overall, It Can Happen Here offers important lessons and a lot to think about, but its repetition and slow pacing take away from the impact. A solid three stars from me.
March 22, 2021
So you're basically auditing one of Hinton's classes at Rutgers, wherein you're systematically uncovering how likely it is that the US could begin performing a crime such as genocide and, in the midst of that, exploring how we've all but done it in the past.
As Americans, we're quick to feel as if we're in some sort of figurative tower, somehow above and beyond other places without our freedoms and amenities; Hinton exposes our comfort as ignorance but while also refraining from becoming accusatory or harsh. His questions poise the reader toward reflection and growth--this is not only a mark of how good he is at teaching, but how learned he surely must be in exploring these tense, volatile matters in public forums.
There's an education to be had not only in terms of the potential for crimes of genocide under a Trump presidency, but an analysis of cultural genocide in our country, perspective on why white supremacists act as they have by illuminating their most oft-cited resources and argument points (e.g. The 14 Words). The section on white replacement, honestly, is one that I've run into frequently, even when the people I'm speaking to can't quite articulate it.
It's not at all meant to be an echo chamber for the left-leaning or anyone who's anti-Trump; to the contrary, it's a sweeping aid in picking apart why the far-right would be in a position to indulge in violent acts that they wouldn't have considered to perform just ten years ago (yep, it's because they felt that they had the support of the White House itself). We often can better sympathize with a group and, more importantly, diminish divisive thought, when we try to stop referring to someone as "the other" and work to understand them and their points of view. Hinton is by no means looking to ask a person of color to cut a Proud Boy some slack, but learning what the "other side" draws from is an integral part of remaining civilized and, well, preserving one of the greatest things about this country (and the world).
I'm truly just scratching the surface of the content. Very glad I read it, and it gave me lots of useful information going forward.
Many thanks to NYU Press and NetGalley for the advance read.
As Americans, we're quick to feel as if we're in some sort of figurative tower, somehow above and beyond other places without our freedoms and amenities; Hinton exposes our comfort as ignorance but while also refraining from becoming accusatory or harsh. His questions poise the reader toward reflection and growth--this is not only a mark of how good he is at teaching, but how learned he surely must be in exploring these tense, volatile matters in public forums.
There's an education to be had not only in terms of the potential for crimes of genocide under a Trump presidency, but an analysis of cultural genocide in our country, perspective on why white supremacists act as they have by illuminating their most oft-cited resources and argument points (e.g. The 14 Words). The section on white replacement, honestly, is one that I've run into frequently, even when the people I'm speaking to can't quite articulate it.
It's not at all meant to be an echo chamber for the left-leaning or anyone who's anti-Trump; to the contrary, it's a sweeping aid in picking apart why the far-right would be in a position to indulge in violent acts that they wouldn't have considered to perform just ten years ago (yep, it's because they felt that they had the support of the White House itself). We often can better sympathize with a group and, more importantly, diminish divisive thought, when we try to stop referring to someone as "the other" and work to understand them and their points of view. Hinton is by no means looking to ask a person of color to cut a Proud Boy some slack, but learning what the "other side" draws from is an integral part of remaining civilized and, well, preserving one of the greatest things about this country (and the world).
I'm truly just scratching the surface of the content. Very glad I read it, and it gave me lots of useful information going forward.
Many thanks to NYU Press and NetGalley for the advance read.
July 4, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
It Can Happen Here is an academic examination of extremist ideology and the increasing possibility of genocide in the USA by Dr. Alexander Laban Hinton. Released 8th June 2021 by NYU Press, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is an erudite and well written monograph on the open rise of white extremism in the USA and a reasoned, logical examination of the ways in which it could give rise to genocide and, most importantly, concrete methods to avoid this outcome. The author is an academic and internationally recognized expert in this field and this is what I would call a layman accessible academic treatise of the ideas in all their incarnations as they intersect culture and history. As an academic work, it is *full* of annotations, notes, and minutiae (in a good way). I stopped often to read the background of some of his points in context (many of them link to online resources which are accessible by anyone).
The author knows what he's talking about. He writes perceptively and quite chillingly of what's happened, what's currently happening, and what the possible outcomes are. In short, it *can* happen in the USA and pretending that it's completely impossible and unthinkable is a desperately dangerous ignorance which we can't afford.
Five stars. I learned quite a lot from this book. Much of it made me sad and angry. It was in no way an "easy" read. I would recommend it for library acquisition and also for readers of history and culture.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
It Can Happen Here is an academic examination of extremist ideology and the increasing possibility of genocide in the USA by Dr. Alexander Laban Hinton. Released 8th June 2021 by NYU Press, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is an erudite and well written monograph on the open rise of white extremism in the USA and a reasoned, logical examination of the ways in which it could give rise to genocide and, most importantly, concrete methods to avoid this outcome. The author is an academic and internationally recognized expert in this field and this is what I would call a layman accessible academic treatise of the ideas in all their incarnations as they intersect culture and history. As an academic work, it is *full* of annotations, notes, and minutiae (in a good way). I stopped often to read the background of some of his points in context (many of them link to online resources which are accessible by anyone).
The author knows what he's talking about. He writes perceptively and quite chillingly of what's happened, what's currently happening, and what the possible outcomes are. In short, it *can* happen in the USA and pretending that it's completely impossible and unthinkable is a desperately dangerous ignorance which we can't afford.
Five stars. I learned quite a lot from this book. Much of it made me sad and angry. It was in no way an "easy" read. I would recommend it for library acquisition and also for readers of history and culture.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 27, 2025
Interestingly, you have to go down a fair list before you get to Sinclair Lewis' book.
This was written following the Charlottesville riot in the early part of Trump's first term so everything after that isn't there.
Reading the things said and done then and all through the history of the U.S. is terrifying if you haven't been paying attention and even if you have.
The author is an anthropology professor and with UNESCO. He uses a "teach-in" structure to discuss the events in Charlottesville and after with his class. He is particularly concerned himself because he was a special witness at a trial in Cambodia after the downfall of Pol Pot.
He deals with each aspect of white power thinking separately with immediate and historic examples. Finding perpetrators guilty is important but much more important is mixing people into different groups making sure children grow up experiencing the sameness of people and the unimportance of colour as a means to value people. Removing bars is vital. Prof. Hinton is only wrong in saying "it can happen" because it is trying to happen every day and not just in the U.S.
This was written following the Charlottesville riot in the early part of Trump's first term so everything after that isn't there.
Reading the things said and done then and all through the history of the U.S. is terrifying if you haven't been paying attention and even if you have.
The author is an anthropology professor and with UNESCO. He uses a "teach-in" structure to discuss the events in Charlottesville and after with his class. He is particularly concerned himself because he was a special witness at a trial in Cambodia after the downfall of Pol Pot.
He deals with each aspect of white power thinking separately with immediate and historic examples. Finding perpetrators guilty is important but much more important is mixing people into different groups making sure children grow up experiencing the sameness of people and the unimportance of colour as a means to value people. Removing bars is vital. Prof. Hinton is only wrong in saying "it can happen" because it is trying to happen every day and not just in the U.S.
March 27, 2021
I was able to read an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this book was interesting and I was able to learn quite a few new concepts and some more information about past events that I was not previously aware of. It also provided information about other books that I am now looking into reading as well. The only issue I had with this book was that after a while it seemed to drag and was pretty repetitive. There were times I would have to check to make sure I had not bumped the screen to a previous page since information that had already been presented in full was again presented like it was something new shortly after.
Overall, this book was interesting and I was able to learn quite a few new concepts and some more information about past events that I was not previously aware of. It also provided information about other books that I am now looking into reading as well. The only issue I had with this book was that after a while it seemed to drag and was pretty repetitive. There were times I would have to check to make sure I had not bumped the screen to a previous page since information that had already been presented in full was again presented like it was something new shortly after.
September 17, 2021
Enjoyed the book. Very well researched.
Never have been a fan of the USA. I think it is a country with far too many differences and too many loud voices that spout hatred towards each other. Sadly, I believe that the United States will not last till the end of this century.
Never have been a fan of the USA. I think it is a country with far too many differences and too many loud voices that spout hatred towards each other. Sadly, I believe that the United States will not last till the end of this century.
December 22, 2024
maybe like a 3.5 but this was good, it was quite a dry read so i had to sprinkle in other books but the overall topic was interesting and quite a good response to the idea of american exceptionalism and interesting to do it through the concept of genocide, felt quite relevant for this time
July 22, 2022
Such an important read.
August 26, 2022
DNF at 30%
Gah! I just couldn't take one more manufactured, unnatural, hopelessly cliched student/teacher dialogue.
Gah! I just couldn't take one more manufactured, unnatural, hopelessly cliched student/teacher dialogue.
January 2, 2023
Another outstanding book about the threat of fascism in America, along with a great look inside the classroom with an inspiring professor.
March 7, 2022
This was a very slow reading book for me.
December 25, 2022
I used this book for teaching a sociology course about race in the U.S. The author writes about his teaching this topic, and using the frame of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge as a comparison to emphasize the dangers in the contemporary United States. My students liked this book very much.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews