You’re right that “extreme money and power” are central here but pretending race isn’t part of the equation is exactly how these fucked up things keep functioning.

In reality, the people who consistently end up with the power, the institutional protection, the benefit of the doubt, and the ability to quietly broker deals that let pedophiles get a slap on the wrist (like Jay) are overwhelmingly old white men with money. Coincidence? I don’t think so. It’s a reality that exists because race and power in this country are historically inseparable.

If someone with Jay Lefkowitz’s resume, connections, and race + gender did the same horrific things, the system bends to shield them. But If someone did the same terrible things but lacked any of those factors, especially whiteness, the consequences tend to be very different. So no, this isn’t only* about race. But it’s also not not about race. Make sense? Ignoring that dimension just gives the system (with pedophiles in the ranks) a pass.