While watching the news, it is nearly impossible to not come across the name Jeffrey Epstein, whether it is mentioning his island or the files resulting from it. While his name is the most talked about in this investigation, the relationships he had with the people around him are certainly the most telling story about our culture.
In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty and was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution. This charge opened up a plethora of speculation worldwide, with many important figures in politics, the arts and academia having connections to him.
These connections were not severed as his conviction became public knowledge. They continued years after, with universities such as Harvard even having accepted donations from Epstein after knowing of his crimes.
More than just a story of one man’s crimes, the revelations about Epstein in the files offer a reflection of the price of silence and what prominent social institutions and figures, such as universities, are willing to pay. Despite being well aware of Epstein’s conviction, these institutions were willing to accept donations, attend meetings and give access to a new generation.
UA alumnus John Alexander was mentioned frequently in the files, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Emails exchanged between Alexander’s father, Stephen Alexander, and Epstein showed many conversations, including an invitation sent to Epstein for his graduation, and Epstein helping organize guest speakers at the University. Stephen Alexander’s emails to Epstein continued until a decade after Epstein had been convicted.
Alexander’s involvement did not necessarily implicate any knowledge of problematic influence by UA staff, but it did not need to. It showed exactly how Epstein, and many others who have similar convictions, stay in power. Epstein used his connections to give career advice and make connections for others even if it was not his field of expertise, even as Alexander discussed Epstein’s criminal case with him.
This is the way that our society works: if someone can offer you something of enough value, then it does not matter what other wrongdoings they might have committed as long as it does not affect you. So institutions like Harvard will still accept donations, and individuals like Stephen Alexander will use favors for family, and remain silent.
This silence implies that with enough power, one can get away with whatever actions they want. What does that tell us as students? That we should confront what is wrong with systems, or that we should defer to power if it benefits us?
For places that are meant to shape young people into the future leaders of the world, there needs to be better accountability and reflection.
