Intersectionality of Inequalities in Filthy Rich- Sociological Imagination

Intersectionality is an intertwined network of social classification, through themes of color, race, and class, that apply to members of a marginalized group of people and fortifies over intersecting and are interlinked networks of disadvantages. Sociological imagination shows that intersectional themes often create overlaps in a society submerged in inequality. This situation is analyzed better by observing “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich,” a docu-series that shows existing gaps between America’s upper and lower classes. This paper investigates how one theme of intersectionality, social class, captured in the docu-series, “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich,” is prevalent in creating social gaps through the conflict theory’s point of view.

Film Summary

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy rich” is a Netflix true-crime mini-series documentary produced in 2020 that documents how the rich and the powerful in society remain elusive from the hands of the law. The documentary focuses on Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy and rich financier, who remained elusive from crimes that indicted him of sexual abuse and drug trafficking by the power of the upper social class. The mini-series not only incorporate Epstein’s malignant features but also considers Epstein’s victims’ stories by providing space for them to share Epstein’s abusive ordeals, with interjections from investigators who handled Epstein’s case. The show also traces a web of influential individuals who were crucial to Epstein’s web of illegality and facilitated his illegal sway that the rich enjoy. 

Social Class

Mendacity forms the capsule of the film “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich.” At least, this is what the theme of social class portrays. Mendacity began at the upper-class level in the social class, where the rich like Hillary Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Leslie Wexner occupied and gradually chipped its way to the level of victimization. For years, Epstein and his elite friends remained elusive from the law because they hoarded power and wealth and often bent the rules in their favor (Gordon-Logan et al., 2020). This situation is addressed adequately by the conflict theory, which posits that to hold their position of wealth and power, the rich must subject their power against the interests of members in the lower ranks in a society (Dixon, 2019). The docu-series shows that Epstein and his friends’ power made them untouchable by the law. Although the evidence showed that Epstein was a sexual and drug illegalities leader, he enjoyed unparalleled impunity due to his powerful connection. 

His close associates, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump, foresaw these privileges due to their power and freedom to influence the judicial system. Through his interconnected web of power, wealth, and privilege, cases tabled against Epstein by his victims were put off records or withdrawn. This exceptional treatment ensured that the Palm Police Department provided Epstein with impunity because a man of his status was symbolic to society and, therefore, tabled evidence had no basis. His connection, influence, and financial depth shielded him from the law and, therefore, was unaccountable for his crimes since he profoundly influenced the police department. Such instances shed light on the dynamics of intersectionality. The conflict theory notes that, in this case, the systems of law only safeguarded Epstein’s social domination at the expense of the poor.

In Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’s first episode, Epstein beats his chest about owning mammoth homes in New Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Paris, and Palm Beach. One of Epstein’s victims, Courtney, contends that victimization among young women took place in these mansions. These homes were baits that Epstein used to lure his victims, especially those from poor backgrounds, into his web of sexual trafficking. Gordon et al. note that Epstein also owned an exorbitant aircraft 747 and entourages that showcased his power and multi-spiral social mobility (Gordon et al., 2020). His continuous upward movement on the social-class stairway created room for opportunities depending on social order and gave him the freeway to oppress those he deemed lesser than him. The conflict theory holds that in the social pyramid disposition, the group of elites at the higher levels form laws and situations that govern the underprivileged through cancerous control (Moshiri, 2020). Senior members at the top of the social order like Epstein unconstitutionally acquire power and wealth that they use to subjugate the juniors.

Conclusion

Intersectionality builds the gap between the rich and the power in the show “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich.” In the docu-series, the rich are influential men who used their wealth to acquire the power to subjugate the lesser in their society. The interlinkage between the conflict theory and the docu-series shows the embedded intersectionality in the social class. In particular, the two aid in critical thinking about limitations prevalent in the social-class divisions. 

Dixon, A. R. (2019). Colorism and classism confounded: Perceptions of discrimination in Latin America. Social Science Research, 79, 32-55.

Gordon-Logan, L., McClane B., Ombress, F., and Scholl, J (Producers). (2020). “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich.” Netflix [Docu-Series]. https://www.netflix.com/

Moshiri, F. (2019). Revolutionary conflict theory from an evolutionary perspective. In Revolutions of the Late Twentieth Century (pp. 4-36). Routledge.