CNN Anchor Don Lemon Tells Eddie Long Supporters "I am a Victim of a Pedophile"
If you have had the misfortune of being one of those kids who was sexually victimized by an adult, the one thing you know is the script. You know it by heart, and even after years of therapy and recovery and acceptance that script can send you back -- right back -- to where you were all those years ago, or yesterday.
They start by telling you how special you are, and how they want to spend time with you, help you to succeed. They invite you to their secret place, whether it's their house or their office or even their car. They're affectionate in words and speech, and they reach out, little by little and draw you in and because you're a kid and they're an adult you let them. It's not until later that the shame overcomes the privilege. They find you because you've had trouble in your life, or your family isn't all it should be, or you're poor, or you're smart, or whatever it is that attracts. And once they find you, they pursue you. Relentlessly.
This piece of video where CNN anchor Don Lemon has a panel discussion about the alleged molestations committed by Bishop Eddie Long is some of the most compelling real time, real life television I've seen in a long time. During a frustrating but polite exchange with three panelists who are fully supportive of Bishop Long, Lemon first plays a description from one of the attorneys of Long's alleged inappropriate behavior with one young man.