Today’s Washington Post features a story titled, “The prince and the sex offender: Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein’s mysterious relationship“. The article points out that last week British Prince Andrew was named in a Federal Lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein alleging some involvement in underage prostitution.
Setting aside the merits of the allegation, it’s interesting to note how the article slams the relationship between the Prince and Mr. Epstein. It even references a British paper reporting on the two merely taking a walk together in central park; “The news of a prince spending time with a registered sex offender quickly made news from New York to the United Kingdom. “What was the Duke of York thinking?” asked the Daily Telegraph.”
What makes it interesting is society’s endorsement of shunning sex offenders.
Jeffrey Epstein was a math genius who became a professor despite not even having a bachelors degree. He was recruited into Bear Stearns where he became a Wall Street guru. He used his financial success to foster some significant philanthropic efforts. As wikipedia states; “Epstein is known for funding eminent scientists around the world, some of whom have won the Nobel Prize; much of this research is geared towards discovering new medical treatments. He is responsible for founding The Program for Evolutionary Dynamics at Harvard University, one of the first academic departments to study the mathematics of evolution.”
The article could have been titled “The Prince and the Philanthropist” or “The Prince and the Financial Guru”, but that wouldn’t sell papers. Even though Prince Andrew might have been taking a stroll with Epstein to discuss potential revolutionary medical treatments, that’s not the way the newspapers will spin it.
Last month we reported on the news shaming employers of registered citizens. As a result of the shaming, the individuals in the report lost their jobs.
That story could have easily been spun differently – the truth – that there are compassionate individuals willing to give someone a second chance and as a result both the business and the individual are thriving. But that didn’t happen.
Maybe Prince Andrew is a loyal friend? Maybe he’s chosen to support an individual and help him maintain a positive and productive new path that could potentially lead to advancement in academics and medicine?
If we keep shunning family, friends, employers and individuals who support and help registered citizens, do you really think it will make society safer?
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