Loud and proud is an ethnographic study of grassroots activists in the English Defence League (EDL). Setting the findings within contemporary debates on race and racism, Islamophobia, social movements and the far right, the author draws on interviews, informal conversations and extensive observation at EDL events to explore and explain the gap between the public image of the movement as a violent Islamophobic and racist organisation and individual activists' understanding of it as 'one big family'. Presenting them neither as duped by a charismatic leader nor working class anti-heroes, this book introduces EDL activists as individuals with real lives whose diverse trajectories in and out of activism are embedded in personal life stories.

The book will be of value to those researching or studying in the disciplines of sociology, political science and anthropology as well as those with an interest in contemporary political issues and the populist and radical right.

Reviews

'These voices of English nationalism make for difficult listening. The great strength of Hilary Pilkington's unflinching ethnography is her capacity to confound and challenge our political preconceptions and makes us think harder. This is an important, difficult and brave book.'

Les Back, Professor of Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London

'Pilkington offers fresh and crucial insights into the politics of fear. Her unflinchingly honest depiction of the EDL breaks apart stereotypes of rightist activists as simply dupes, thugs, and racists and makes us confront the complexities of anti-Islamist/anti-Muslim fervor. This terrific, compelling book is a must-read for scholars and readers concerned about the global rise of populist movements on the right.'

Kathleen Blee, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research Distinguished Professor of Sociology Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Awards

2017

Winner of the BBC Radio 4 / British Sociological Association Thinking Allowed Ethnography Prize

Preface - Anoop Nayak
1. Transgressing the cordon sanitaire: understanding the populist radical right as a social movement
2. The contagion of stigma: the ethics and politics of research with the 'far right'
3. 'We're your famous EDL': navigating the representational battlefield
4. Doing the hokey-cokey: everyday trajectories of activism
5. 'Not racist, not violent, just no longer silent': aspirations to non-racism
6. Anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiments: who's 'othering' who?
7. 'Second-class citizens': reordering privilege and prejudice
8. 'One big family': emotion, affect and the meaning of activism
9. 'Loud and proud': piercing the politics of silencing
10. Conclusion: passion and politics
Appendices
Index