On June 17, 2015, white supremacist Dylan Roof, shot and killed nine African Americans in the midst of their Bible study. This violence came from the singular shooter but also stems from the group level regarding a long history of racism and prejudice in the U.S.A.(Smolla, 2020). The shooter was welcomed into Bible study and waited 45 minutes before he opened fire. He took his gun out and killed nine people, firing a total of 74 rounds. The names of those assassinated are Susie Jackson, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, Ethel Lee Lance, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., the Rev. Myra Thompson, the Rev. Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Cynthia Hurd (Myrpuri 2016). The causes, impact, and consequences can be explored …show more content…
In Roof's case, his belief in the superiority of his race conflicted with societal norms that condemn racism and violence. By immersing himself in echo chambers that validated his views, Roof was able to resolve the dissonance by fully committing to his extremist ideology, thus eliminating the psychological discomfort associated with holding contradictory beliefs. Along with cognitive dissonance, people like the shooter of the Charleston Massacre often align with the Social Identity Theory. Social identity theory explains that individuals derive a sense of identity and self-worth from the groups to which they belong. For Roof, his white racial identity became a central aspect of his self-concept. Within the online echo chambers, Roof's identity as a white person was not only affirmed but also elevated as superior to others. This sense of superiority was bolstered by the belief that the in-group (white people) was under threat from the out-group (racial minorities, particularly African Americans). This perceived threat justified the dehumanization of out-group members, making it easier for Roof to rationalize violence against them as a means of defending his in-group. For example, within white supremacist groups, the idea that white identity is under threat becomes a unifying belief. This shared belief can lead to collective actions aimed at harming or suppressing the out-group, as members feel they are protecting their in-group. Violence becomes a group-endorsed response to the perceived out-group threat, not just an individual