It’s complex but one factor of many is white males in the 70s maybe even 60s had the power but were afraid to use it together collectively.
They didn’t want to be labeled with all the “ists” being thrown at them by the left.
SexIST
RaceIST
MilitarIST
ExtremIST
EtcIST
So they stood back and let the left advance.
Individuals have power, not demographic categories.