Michelle Obama Attends Beyonce Concert
7 Weird Ways To Bug-Proof Your Picnic
As the days have gone by since the start of the Bishop Eddie Long scandal, I've become more and more convinced that there needs to be a serious investigation. Something doesn't seem quite right with the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and the world needs to hear more from the young men who've been speaking out in public.
While I've seen quite a bit of evidence and videos that have gotten my attention, nothing has compelled me more than the interview with Long's latest accuser, Jamal Parris (pictured). Parris, who was chased down by Fox 5 in Atlanta, was reluctant to talk at first about the incident, but once he spoke up, his words were shocking. I'll lay out some of the thoughts he shared with Fox 5 and give you my take after that.
With passion in his voice and looking as though he was about to cry, Parris went out of his way to tell the world what kind of man he believes Long to be. He said that when Long wanted sex from a young man, he found him interesting, but once he was done with him, he would leave him behind:
"This man turned his back on us when he had no more need for us," Parris said. "That's not a father, that's a predator."
Parris really laid into Long in a way that I've hardly seen from someone with a pending lawsuit. I can't imagine that his attorney was happy to hear that he was speaking so openly about the case. Either way, he was incredibly convincing on camera and would be equally convincing in a courtroom.
"We would have to be the craziest kids in the world to want to come out and admit to another man touching on us publicly. To really believe this is about money would be absolutely ludicrous."
Parris said that he loved Long like the father he never had. He seemed to feel betrayed and abandoned by Long, and the anger looked real:
"I cannot get the sound of his voice out of my head," said Parris. "I cannot forget the smell of his cologne. And I cannot forget the way that he made me cry many nights when I drove in his car on the way home, not able to take enough showers to wipe the smell of him off of my body."
For the finale, Parris hit Long's reputation right where it hurts:
"But that man cannot look me in my eye and tell me we did not live this pain. Why you can sit in front of the church and tell them that you categorically deny it. You can't say that to our face. And you know this. You are not a man, you are a monster."
One cannot say with certainty that Long is guilty of any form of sexual abuse, but I won't tell you where I'd bet my money. Long is going to have a hard time persuading the world that all of his accusers are involved in a conspiracy. He won't have trouble, though, persuading the world that his accusers might be disgruntled.
One has to wonder about Parris' statement about Long abandoning men after losing interest in having sex with them. Does this mean that Long's biggest mistake was to stop supporting them financially? If he were still taking care of them economically would this lawsuit be nonexistent?
One of our loyal BlackVoices readers argued that the Long scandal is not about homosexual sex but is instead about pedophilia. The reader made a good point, but it is not certain that Long had sex with any of the men before they'd reached the age of consent. So, if two men are engaged in a sexual relationship and both of them are adults, at what point have we passed the legal definition of coercion?
I don't know the answers to most of the questions I've posed. But I'm sure that time will reveal all secrets. When the real Bishop Eddie Long is presented to the world, he could end up being a man entirely different from the pastor we respect so much. As sad as it is to say this, I can only hope that his accusers are lying.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (271)
Add a comment
By: Robert on 9/29/2010 10:48PM
Perhaps, before you pass the judgement and count Bishop Long as guilty, you should wait until all of the facts are out.
Report This
By: ARNEADER on 9/29/2010 11:10PM
@Robert I'm NOT passing judgment on, just TURN ON YOUR TV CNN! Robert I know New Birth members are hurting, my church went through something similar. Our church split, one mother at the church said "I don't care what the pastor did!" And another mother said "That woman is crazy". Our pastor had done so much for our church but at the same time he WOUNDED the church too. I must admit Eddie L. Long discretions did make me feel better about the problems at my church. I watched Eddie L. Long on TV a few times but I never really got into his ministry.
Report This
By: igby on 9/30/2010 1:11AM
The truth will come out.
In either event, this is inexusable. There is nothing more vomitous than when trusted adults take advantage of young men and women by "grooming" and having sexual relations with them.
This minister will be watched very closely from here on out, simply for the accusation alone. I work with children, but I always make sure that there's a group of them around, never isolating myself with one. It keeps the situation honest and protects all parties. The minister should have done the same...
Report This
By: Archie L. Wilson on 9/30/2010 8:02PM
Personally, I think people should start to judge or just except something because someone said it, ask yourself I like to be prejudged without the real facts. These days it's real easy to say He/She did it, but what if they didn't do it. Don't God's people desever the same "Innocence until Proven Guilty", benefit of the doubt.We all know we hold ministers on high pedestals, but they can be lied on to, hell, they lied on Jesus didn't they. I believe Dr. Long was very nieve in some of his practices maybe but we are all human. But that's God's job to judge. And our's if he breaks the law and that hasn't been proven yet. Give the Brother a break!
Report This
By: stare k on 9/30/2010 8:28AM
Arneader why do you say thatit happen to him ?
I don't live near that area my daughter watch him on tv.Think he is very good .But she also think he is guilty. These Pastors have their membersbrain washed .No pastor have me in their corner that way. I pray & i give what I can . They are living of their members. What a shame.
Report This
By: Darius Rainey on 10/19/2010 11:34PM
One who has been traumatized and horrified does not return over and over to the scene of the trauma. But rather "eschew" the evil. Parents can always tell when their child has been "traumatized." A young man who is not "gay" or does not have latent homo-sexual tendencies does not bend over to get it over and over. Since when does accepting money, cars, apartments, houses, trips on fancy jets in exchange for sexual favors constitute anything other than "prostitution?" How can a man that IS a man (young or old) be "coerced" [to compel by force, intimidation, or authority, esp. without regard for individual desire or volition] into doing something that he really really doesn't want to do? And not report it to somebody...so that it can stop while it is going on? When teen-aged boys comes to the age of consent and start having sex; they do it with girls or they do it with boys. They either like it or they don't. If they don't like it, they don't go back for more (again, again, again, and again).
Report This
By: Verletta on 9/29/2010 5:39AM
It is unfortunate that the New Birth Church, pastors, and ministers have continued to come to the support of Bishop Eddie Long. What about the victims? Why haven't they been shown any support or embraced? It takes a lot of courage and humility to come forward. Additionally, if these allegations are true, Bishop Long knew what he was doing when he began gaining trust in these young men when they were only minors then waiting until they were of legal age to engage in these activities. Let's not forget the young men who are victims.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Verletta on 9/29/2010 5:47AM
I failed to mention in my previous comment that Bishop Eddie Long used his power and influence last night at his church to speak (indirectly) and build his character around the allegations (also gaining more support from his parishioners) when he stated previously that he would fight this in court--not in the media.
Report This
By: CeCe on 9/29/2010 2:22PM
People aren't rushing to comfort the "victims" because no one knows the truth yet. Anyone who jumps to the defense of either side without knowing the whole truth is a fool.
Report This
By: pimpinperry2 on 9/29/2010 4:08PM
I agree. No one shows any remorse for teh victims? Is it because they're boys? If it was young girls would we be more upset or would we say that would be normal.
Report This