Reader’s Digest: What is white replacement theory?
UC faculty Jeffery Blevins cited as expert on the regulation of social media
Pre-internet, racists weren’t usually tolerated in polite society. Today, one need only to turn to social media to see how abhorrent belief systems operate, and propagate, in broad daylight; and platforms are coming under more scrutiny, according to an article on “White Replacement Theory” in Reader’s Digest.
“Social media companies all have terms of service with standards of behavior they define. There’s no legal obligation to enforce it, but there’s certainly an ethical one,” says Jeff Blevins, professor of journalism at the University of Cincinnati and co-author of “Social Media, Social Justice and the Political Economy of Online Networks.”
The article defines white replacement theory as the idea that some “other” group is out to destroy white people and their way of life. The topic came to light after the Buffalo mass shooting in May 2022.
Featured image at top courtesy of Unsplash.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
‘Designer drug’ shows early neuroprotective signal in acute ischemic stroke
October 28, 2025
Medscape highlighted new trial results led by the University of Cincinnati's Eva Mistry that found an experimental drug shows promise in protecting injured brain cells for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Is menstrual fluid ‘the most overlooked opportunity’ in women’s health?
October 27, 2025
The Guardian recently reported that period blood has long been thought of as ‘stinky and useless’, but startups are exploring using the fluid to test for a wide range of health conditions — including endometriosis.
What is squalane, and how does it work to moisturize skin?
October 27, 2025
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Women's Health article discussing squalane, an ingredient being increasingly used in moisturizing skincare products.