The myth of the "lone wolf"

"The tenacity of the lone wolf myth has several sources. It’s convenient — evocative and powerful enough to draw and keep people’s attention.

"By using this term, which individualizes extremism, law enforcement officials may also depoliticize their work. Instead of focusing on movements like white nationalism that have sympathizers in the various levels of government, from sheriffs to senators, they focus on individuals.

"The lone wolf extremist myth diverts from what should be the focus of deterrence efforts: understanding how far-right extremists network, organize and, as the Jan. 6 insurrection showed, build coalitions across diverse groups, especially through the use of social media."

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/the-idea-of-the-lone-violent-white-extremist-is-a-myth-and-its-dangerous

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