Thread by @jennycohn1

“This longing for something to believe in exists on the left too, of course, but it manifests itself in violence to a much lesser extent.” By ⁦@DanielMillerEsq⁩ 1/ cnn.com/2021/09/17/opi…

“A Washington Post analysis of data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies found since 2015, attacks from right-wing extremists have resulted in 91 deaths, as opposed to 19 from those on the far-left. Obviously, both are unacceptable.” 2/

“A Rand study examining former extremists in the US, including those characterized as white supremacists, found out of 32 cases of radicalization, 22 noted financial instability, 17 noted mental health challenges, & 16 noted victimization, stigmatization, or marginalization.” 3/

“These vulnerabilities are exploited by the right-wing media & political establishment, including on social media, who play to people's worst fears & instincts. (This dynamic isn't so different from the…one between radical clerics & their followers throughout the Arab world).”4/

“To address economic grievance, we need a robust economy that provides investment to communities across the country and meaningful work to millions more Americans. Perhaps the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed last month is one part of this solution.” 5/

“To address the epidemic of isolation, we need to rebuild communities across America and consider outside-the-box ideas similar to a Minister of Loneliness like they have in Great Britain since 2018.” 6/

“The position was created after a report found that more than 9 million people in the country—an estimated 14% of the population—often or always felt lonely, which reportedly cost UK employers up to $3.5 billion annually.” 7/

“Encouraging young people to participate in a national year of service could reduce prejudice, promote empathy, and decrease hyper polarization in the country. We could also focus significant resources online to counter misinformation and radicalization.” 7/

8/ “America today appears to be filled with people who are ready to believe in something. Anything. Sometimes it seems that it doesn't matter so much what. As long as the thing gives them a sense of power over their lives … We must not look away.”