The Epstein Files - Power, Privilege and Abuse
An hour on the Epstein files: not the famous names, but the ordinary things the story shows about all of us. Why people who know stay quiet, how far loyalty to a friend or a side should go, what money and access buy, and how offices and families end up protecting the wrong person. Twelve independent cards; open three or four.
The opening question
When a rich or powerful person gets caught doing something terrible, what's your gut reaction in one word?
Everyone in the room answers this in one line before any card is opened. Write the answers down; you will come back to them.
The cards
12 ways into the topic
Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.
- 1
Speaking Up At Work
Everyone in the office knows a senior manager is creepy with the new interns. People joke about it at lunch. Nobody has told anyone who could stop it.
- 2
Judged By Your Friends
There's an old photo of you smiling next to someone. Years later, that person is in the news for something terrible. Now people are sharing the photo.
- 3
When A Friend Is Accused
Your friend is accused of treating someone badly. He says it's all lies. Your friend group is splitting into two sides, and both want you on theirs.
- 4
Speaking Up Years Later
Someone says a person hurt them badly many years ago. They never said a word at the time. Now everyone is asking: why now?
- 5
Rich People And The Law
A rich man's son crashes his car and someone dies. Within hours he's out on bail. A poor man would still be in a cell.
- 6
Money From Bad People
A man with a bad reputation offers your school a huge donation. It would pay for a new library. He just wants his name on the wall.
- 7
Getting Close To Powerful People
A very rich, very important man invites you to dinner. Famous people will be there.
- 8
When It's Your Own Side
When someone from the other side does something wrong, you're furious.
- 9
Keeping It In The Family
Something bad happens inside the family. The elders sit together and decide it must never leave the house. “Think of the family's name,” they say.
- 10
Making Kids Hug Relatives
An aunt you hardly know arrives and says, “Come, give me a hug!” Your child hides behind your leg. Everyone is watching to see what you'll do.
- 11
Wanting To Know The Names
Millions of secret pages are released. You go straight to the list of famous names. You never read a word about the girls who were hurt.
- 12
Second Chances After Prison
Is a sentence served a debt paid?
The line to leave with
Where in your own life is everyone quietly agreeing not to notice something, and are you one of them?
More boards,more ways in.
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