White Supremacy as an Existential Threat: A Response to Rita Floyd’s The Morality of Security: A Theory of Just Securitization

Rita Floyd’s The Morality of Security: A Theory Just Securitization is an important and insightful book that delineates a theory just securitization (modified from the jus ad bellum in bello criteria war theory) involving three sets principles governing initiation securitization, conduct desecuritization. This much- needed addition to security studies literature. Here, I apply (JST) threat posed by white supremacy African Americans. argue meets definition objective existential threat, potentially justifying resort In Section 1, Americans constitute non-state group, before demonstrating 2 poses this meeting criterion cause JST. 3, show that, given failure legal challenges democratic processes mitigate may be justified resorting extraordinary measures combat supremacy, including “whatever most reasonable persons would agree constitutes exceptional means actions ... state groups within states. can take form secession, civil disobedience, acts sabotage resistance”. Applying JST demonstrates value her approach for thinking about outside traditional foci but, as discuss my conclusion, also reveals limitations theory, particularly relation chance success when applied resisting unjust state.