Rochester Association of Black Journalists / P.O. Box 10620 Rochester, NY 14606

A month ago, the Internet and media outlets were all a buzz over alleged allegations against Bishop Eddie Long.
It somewhat reminded me of singer R. Kelly’s child molestation accusations.
I wonder. Will it take Eddie Long six years to go to trial like R. Kelly?
After all, they are both superstars. They have enough money to afford the very best legal council. They are loved by millions, and they have daily entourages.
They have planes, trains, automobiles and have access to other countries.
It is plain to see, these are two amazing men.
Will we forget about Eddie Long’s allegations as we have R. Kelly’s?
After R. Kelly was acquitted he went straight into the studio and created “Trapped In The Closet” and we made him a millionaire thrice over.
Was this a subliminal message for us?
Was Kelly telling us he was going to stay in the closet?
But, a more important question is, has he done it again?
They say practice makes perfect!
Has R. Kelly perfected his perversion to a degree that he has to get the young mother’s to sell their daughters and buy their silence at the same time?
I for one didn’t hear any outrage coming from this young girl’s mother.
As for Eddie Long – he walked tentatively across the stage, silent for a very brief moment, in front of thousands of his congregants.
He cleared his throat before saying “I am not a perfect man.” Someone yelled from the pew “It’s okay, Daddy!”
I watched in horror as this beaten man regained his strength and confidence with every cheer and every handclap coming from his beloved congregation.
Soon, that not so perfect man, declared to his church and the world “I’m going to fight this thing!” to the thunderous applause and standing ovation from his cult like following.
My question today is, “Have they lost their minds?”
Eddie Long and R. Kelly are only two of the millions of alleged pedophiles, rapist and perverts in this world.
But, it seems the richer they are the tougher it seems to bring them to justice.
Think about all of those who haven’t been caught yet!
R. Kelly went on living his life.
I guess he’s still trapped in the closet.
For his victim, then a thirteen-year-old, $50,000 was a lot of money!
There are people in high places, holding guns to the heads of innocent children, in the form of money, clothes and the necessities of life.
She wouldn’t testify. She claimed it wasn’t even her. She was 22 at the time of trial. Why wasn’t her mother outraged? Was the $50,000 gone? Maybe there was more.
The bottom line is – we need to teach our children that no matter how good it feels or how scared they are, and no matter who it is, they need to tell – and do it quickly!
No matter how much fame a sexual preditor has, or how much money they’re offering for silence, we need to put them behind bars!






 

  

Please, for the Children!

Gwen Byrd

Author, Freelance Writer