Larry Summers’ sexism is jeopardizing his power and privilege, but the entire economics profession hinders progress for women

The Summers-Epstein Emails’ ‘Yellow Peril’ Problem

Harvard professor Larry Summers has been widely criticized for his extensive correspondence with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But the denigrating way he views Asian women hasn’t gotten enough attention.

Larry Summers’ sexism is jeopardizing his power and privilege, but the entire economics profession hinders progress for women

Larry Summers attends a prestigious conference in July 2025 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesHouse lawmakers released damning correspondence between economist Larry Summers and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Nov. 12, 2025. The exchanges, which were among more than 20,000 newly released public documents, documented how Summers – a former U.S. Treasury secretary and Harvard University president – repeatedly sough…