|
|
|
Sharpton Open to Meeting With ‘Dog’
Reality Star Reached Out to Sharpton After His Racist Rant Went Public
Nov. 1, 2007
The Rev. Al Sharpton said that his National Action Network supports A&E’s decision to suspend the “Dog the Bounty Hunter” after the show’s namesake stark, Duane “Dog” Chapman, was recorded repeatedly using the N-word in a racist rant.
When the National Enquirer posted an audio clip of bounty hunter and reality TV star Duane “Dog” Chapman caught in a racist rant Wednesday, Chapman immediately apologized publicly and reached out to black leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Chapman, 54, whose A&E show, “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” was suspended pending an investigation into the incident, was recorded repeatedly using the N-word in a conversation with his son. During the conversation, Chapman urges his son to break up with a black girlfriend who he fears may go public about Chapman’s common use of the derogatory term.
Today, Sharpton, never one to shy away from the spotlight, said that he would be willing to meet with the reality star, but would not rearrange his schedule to do so. Currently, Sharpton is on the road promoting a march against a spate of recent high-profile hate crimes across the country at the U.S. Justice Department later this month.
“As a minister I would be inclined to meet with you despite the racist and grotesque things I heard you say,” Sharpton wrote in a letter released to the media. “If you wish to meet with me somewhere on the road that is fine, but be assured that I will not sanitize the kind of hate language that leads to the hate action that has left so many people vulnerable in America today.”
Sharpton said that his National Action Network will not condemn A&E’s decision to suspend the program despite the use of the slur in what Chapman thought was a private conversation because “what was said in private is now public, and they have a right to deal with their public perception.”
Sharpton also urged Chapman to join the march in Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, “to protect people, that unlike you don’t have publicist, don’t have lawyers and don’t have any protection.”
In Chapman’s public apology, the bounty hunter, who in part rose to fame after apprehending serial rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in Mexico in 2003, said he has the “utmost respect” for black people.
“I did not mean to add yet another slap in the face to an entire race of people who have brought so many gifts to this world,” he said.
Chapman Apologizes for Using Racial Slur
November 8, 2007
In this photo provided by Dog Corp., Duane “Dog” Chapman, reality star of the A&E show Noember 8, 2007
Duane “Dog” Chapman says he can be taught new tricks and one of them is never to use the “N-word” again.
Chapman, 54, has apologized to blacks and to all Americans for repeatedly using the racial slur during a March phone call to his son, Tucker, urging him to break up with a black girlfriend. The recent Web release of the recorded conversation by The National Enquirer led the A&E television network to put Chapman’s reality show indefinitely on hold.
Chapman, who had issued a written apology, followed it up in his first interview since the scandal broke by remarking: “Never again. This dog learns.”
In the interview with Sean Hannity for Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes” show Tuesday, Chapman denied being a racist and said he used the N-word conversationally when talking to black acquaintances.
“I thought that I was cool enough in the black world to be able to use that word as a brother to a brother,” he said. “I’m not. I didn’t know really know until three or four days ago what that meant to black people.”
“I now learned I’m not black at all,” Chapman said. “And I never did it out of hate.”
“All black people in America I owe an apology to,” Chapman said in the interview. “Whether, how dark I think I am, I cannot say that word. I owe the rest of the people, whether they are black or not in America, an apology because people look up to me.”
“If I could kill myself and people would forgive me, I would do that,” he said.
Chapman also specifically apologized to his son’s girlfriend, Monique Shinnery. But Shinnery told the Enquirer that Chapman’s attorney, not the TV star, called with an apology.
Chapman also said he is making a deal to be buried at a historic slave burial ground near George Washington’s Mount Vernon home.
“I want to be buried right where they’re at because I will never be forgiven as (long as) I’m alive,” Chapman said.
Chapman appeared Wednesday night on CNN’s “Larry King Live.” He told King he had used the N-word not because of Shinnery’s race, but to make a point with his son, who had served time for robbery.
Chapman Apologizes for Using Racial Slur
November 8, 2007
“I referenced it, the only word I know, that would hurt his feelings or catch his attention very fast never as a prejudicial or racial slur or anything like that,” Chapman said.
The Honolulu-based bounty hunter first grabbed headlines when he captured serial rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in Mexico in 2003.
His TV series, “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” followed him and his tattooed crew as they tracked down bail jumpers. The show starred some members of Chapman’s family, but Tucker Chapman was not regularly featured.
Dog Not The Only Celebrity To Ask Forgiveness From Public
Public Apologies of the Rich and Famous
Radio personality Don Imus, left, and the Rev. Al Sharpton appear on Sharpton’s radio show in New York, April 9, 2007. Imus issued another apology for referring to the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos” on his morning show last week. CBS Radio and MSNBC both say they will suspend Imus’ show for two weeks.
Public Apologies of the Rich and Famous
Michael Richards celebrates the release of the first three seasons of “Seinfeld” on DVD on Nov. 17, 2004, in New York. Richards stunned a comedy club audience on Nov. 17, 2006, shouting racial epithets at people who heckled him during a stand-up routine, according to a celebrity Web site. Richards, best known for playing Jerry Seinfeld’s eccentric neighbor Cosmo Kramer on the hit 1990s TV show, was performing at The Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, when he launched into the verbal rampage, according to witnesses and video of the incident post on TMZ.com.
Mel Gibson Apologies...
When the high and mighty fall, the road to recovery begins with a public apology. A day after Mel Gibson’s arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, he apologized for “despicable” behavior. Three days later he acknowledged making anti-Semitic remarks. “Please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot,” he said in a written statement. “Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.”)
Dog the Bounty Hunter: White Supremacists Put Bounty On Duane “Dog” Chapman’s Head
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Bounty Hunter Now Has a Price on His Head
White Supremacists Threaten the Dog With Death
We received an alert from Google News about an hour ago and included in the offerings was the news that the Dog was in danger.
How would the Bounty Hunter respond to having a bounty placed on his head?
How would his fans respond?
How could this be true?
White power groups threaten to kill the Dog because of his public apology on TV? That’s sensational news to be sure. The following story was reported at Contact Music “White Supremacists Threaten to Kill Duane “Dog” Chapman”.
A group of hardcore white supremacists have put a bounty on DUANE ‘DOG’ CHAPMAN’s head after he publicly apologised for racial slurs he was caught using in a taped conversation.
This fired up some Dog fans who commented on the story at Contact Music. The following was a comment by Mike 2003:
hey white supremacists you like to talk alot of BS but you can’t back it up one of these days you gonna threaten someone and your gonna find your damn body 6ft under so just keep talking your damn s**t that you can’t f**king back up.
Mike 2003 continues until the rest of his comment is mostly ***’s.
Contact Music doesn’t seem to be the leader in world wide news. The link they provided with the story was marked “CNN”. Upon following the link, it led us back to Contact Music’s page. Maybe the guys around the water cooler call Contact Music “CNN” for short.
Upon checking CNN’s website, there was no record of the story there, either. The story from Contact Music went on to state:
His rant upset black America and now it seems his apology has upset members of the Aryan Nation, who want to teach Chapman a lesson for bowing to pressure and apologising to African-Americans.
Niger Innis, a spokesman for the Congress Of Racial Equality, tells U.S. tabloid the Globe that he has discovered the white supremacists want the bounty hunter dead - and they’re offering $75,000 (GBP37,500) to anyone who’ll carry out the job.
Innis tells the publication, “Chapman told me himself that there was a bounty on his head from the white Aryan Nations. “They don’t believe he is demonstrating enough white pride... Chapman’s not only upset black America with his ugly taped talk, he’s now drawn the wrath of the white supremacists too.”
We next checked out the Globe’s website to find that they didn’t have anything on the story either—at least on their site.
So, next we sent someone over to the Aryan Nations website.
The “Official Website” had plenty of swastikas. They had story of “Jew Watch”, which we didn’t stop to check out. Also one on “Red Cross Proves Holocaust a Fraud” was featured.
We sent people to check out a few other Neo-Nazi/White Supremacists sites. One site had it in their data base, but it was unsearchable when we tried.
Still no news of a price on Dog’s head.
Seems this Bounty Hunter story is a hoax.
After an hour of digging and following leads, there doesn’t seem to be anything to back this story up except the lone story at Contact Music.
Where did they get it? Attempts to reach someone at Contact Music bore no fruit. We’ll try again tomorrow. We suspect that the result will be same.
Why did they put up a story marked “CNN”?
Maybe to draw some attention to their website and possibly sell some music.
Maybe they thought it was true. Perhaps they still do believe it to be true. We’ll see. The truth is: more checking is ahead.
Everyone concerned can breathe a bit easier, although I’m sure fans of the Dog the Bounty Hunter show would be up in arms at their favorite TV star threatened. We’re sure Dog can take care of himself, in any case.
A&E Also Canceled Handicapped Kids Dreams
November 19th, 2007
Dog the Bounty Hunter:
Dog Helps Make-A-Wish Foundation
Gives Boy His Wish, Will He Be the Last?
A&E Canceled Kids Dreams As Well As Popular Show
Dog the Bounty Hunter’s good side was always apparent for his many fans–if emails and comments to recent stories are any guide. But that side of Duane “Dog” Chapman was also apparent to a 15-year-old handicapped boy who got his wish to meet the Dog recently.
Dog’s soft heart showed through his rough exterior for Judi McLeod of the Canada Free Press. Read her excellent article about Dog making a handicapped boy’s wish come true in “A&E Kills The Dreams of Handicapped Youngsters by Pulling Bounty Hunter Off the Air“. As she put it:
Lost in this latest chapter is what Duane Chapman the man really is: generous to a fault and an inspiration to people who rarely find it elsewhere.
This time last year, television’s celebrated bounty hunter was making wishes come true for 15-year-old Steve Eltz, who after a long history of surgery and medical procedures, including treatment for cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, seizures and orthopedic problems, got to meet his hero, Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Steve’s tale is the story of a perpetually playful lad, who’d much sooner be down at the local creek catching tadpoles with his pal D.J. than back in hospital for yet another operation. It is the story of a youngster under the most discouraging of circumstances still trying to tease his sister, Laura when he thinks she could use a little cheering up.
The story relates how Dog chipped in to help make the lad’s life a little happier.
In any case, with setbacks that would discourage even the most courageous of adults, Steve Eltz, kept alive the dream of someday, somehow meeting face-to-face with his hero.
VICTIM OF “DOG’S” RACIST RANT TO SUE HIM!
National Enquirer Driven Thoughts... Take with grain of sand...
The victim of Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman’s racist rant announced today that she plans to sue him.
Monique Shinnery, who was repeatedly called “n——r” by Chapman on tape told The National ENQUIRER: “I’m going to sue Dog Chapman.”
Chapman not only subjected her to racist slurs, but he also attacked her character in subsequent TV interviews, even though he had never met or spoken to her.
His public attacks on her character pushed Monique over the edge.
As he attempts to save his TV show, Chapman has appeared on two national TV shows offering tearful - and at times bizarre apologies - for using racist slurs. But he has continued to damage Monique’s reputation while trying to dig himself out of trouble, she told The National ENQUIRER.
“I want justice,” Monique told The National ENQUIRER. “He has slandered me, stated that I have bad character and repeatedly lied about me on national television. If I’m ever going to hold my head up in public again, I need to stand up for what is right.”
In March, Dog used the “N” word over and over again while demanding that his son, Tucker, dump Monique, his girlfriend of seven months, if he wants to be part of the Chapman family. The conversation reached the outraged ears of the world when The National ENQUIRER exclusively released the venomous, racist tapes, and caused A&E to drop Dog’s show from their schedule “for the foreseeable future.” A&E has refused to cancel the show, its top moneymaker.
Chapman has apologized for using the “N” word, but he has tried to keep the focus off the fact that he said he did not want a black person in his house or in his family.
In his first written and public apology, Chapman, who had never met, nor seen, Monique, said, “I was disappointed in his choice of a friend, not due to her race, but her character.”
“Dog Chapman knows nothing about my character,” Monique, 21, who has no criminal record, works with mentally challenged children and hopes to enlist in the Coast Guard, told The National ENQUIRER. “He doesn’t know me, and he has never met me.
“I have had threats from his fans. I have been hiding, afraid to go out. After Dog’s slander against me, my boss told me they might require that I take a drug test. I have never done drugs.
“Dog said on television that I had a plan to jump (his wife) Beth and hoped to tape her using racial language. He said he saw me and another girl in a car outside his shop, wearing tank tops.
“I never wear a tank top, I have never been in that parking lot when they were at their bail bond shop and I certainly wouldn’t jump Beth. I weigh 105 pounds! She’d kill me!
“It was all lies. He ‘apologizes’ and then continues to lie about me. I cannot and do not accept his apology, because it was insincere.
“It’s not even about him using the ‘N’ word. It’s about him not wanting a black woman to be part of his family or part of his son’s life.
“They use the ‘N’ word all the time. Once, Beth said to Tucker, ‘If you want to smoke, you can go over to your n——r girlfriend’s house and smoke.’ Beth’s as much of a racist as Dog is.
“Tucker and I were talking with Baby Lyssa (Dog’s daughter) one time and she said, ‘N——rs,’ and quickly changed it to ‘black people’ when she realized I was listening. Their family is just like that.
“What Dog said was disgusting. Dog is not sorry for what he said — he’s never going to be sorry. He’s just putting on an act, trying desperately to get his show back. He will never accept me.
“Dog Chapman is a racist, no matter what he says. It’s not about money - it’s about defending my good name. He has damaged my character and slandered me, and I have to stand up for myself.”
Dog Fans To Have Rally Outside A&E Studios
Dog the Bounty Hunter fans will rally outside the A&E studios building in New York City this Thursday in a show of support for their favorite TV show and personality, Duane “Dog” Chapman.
Organizers are expecting a good turnout of fans in what they bill as a “Peace, rather than a protest type of rally”.
A spokesman for one of the organizing groups, Dog’s Angels,”We’ve gotten feedback from people in the NYC area. We have some groups showing up, as well as organized fans, but we still are looking for people to show up and support Dog and his family.”
We received the following release from Dog’s Angels just a bit ago
Here is the story of Duane “Dog” Chapman, The Greatest Bounty Hunter in The World Mr. Chapman and his family, starred in a reality show on A&E Network’s known as Dog The Bounty Hunter... hereafter referred to as DTBH.
He gained fame when he captured the Monster-Predator, one, Andrew Luster, thus propelling him into the limelight of instant Stardom.
This past summer, his book, “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” debuted the New York Times Best Sellers List at #1! Unexpected thousands upon thousands jammed his book signings, only to be turned away, not because Mr. Chapman could sign no more, but because there were no more books left to be sold!
His show was an enormous success,combining the rough and tumble world of bounty hunting, with the home life of The Chapman Family, and bringing to the fore, their deep faith in God, and their unselfish Christian Spirit.
As well as providing compassion and advice to the fugitives they captured, The Chapmans allowed us to view a truly unique family going about their day to day life.
Mr. Chapman has a great appeal to the children. He genuinely cares about their well being and he, along with all the Chapmans, give with their whole heart to such wonderful organizations as “Make a Wish”.
Below is a synopsis of what occurred to bring about the demise of DTBH.
comment they are literally making a mountain out of a mole hill. Not to undermine the emotion millions of people feel associated with this word. To condemn him for a comment made in private and then publicly display it for national critics is nothing short of wrong, wrong, wrong. If there is to be criticism it should be directed to at his son. It seems to me that America is condoning the betrayal of a son to his father. That is where all the publicity should fall. Having watched “Dogs” show for years and following his response to this.
Last month, in a PRIVATE telephone conversation with one of his sons, Mr. Chapman used the “N” word in anger and frustration. Little did he know eight months ago, that his own son had taped this conversation and would sell out his own father to the National Enquirer for $15,000! A father, betrayed by his own son!
The National Enquirer posted a partial, edited version of the conversation on the internet, which was taken out of context and, which write-ups were twisted, convoluted and blown completely out of proportion. As a result, Mr. Chapman’s show and A&E’s #1 program has been halted until further notice.
Mr. Chapman repeatedly publicly apologized on national television on Larry King Live, The Fox News Channel’s Hannity and Colmes, amongst others. He has promised to mend his ways. He has met with several black leaders and continues counseling with his black preacher and spiritual adviser, Tim Storey. The fallout continues.
In the meantime, A&E’s action against Mr. Chapman has had traumatic effects not only on himself, but on his entire family. Not only has the network taken away Mr. Chapman’s livelihood, but also that of his children, who are also bounty hunters in the show, that have mouths to feed of their own. It also has besmirched the Chapman name.
Thus we are deeply saddened at the loss of DTBH on A&E. We, Dogs’ Angels, are trying, with the myriad of other fans, to return Mr. Chapman and his family to Tuesday nights on A&E, where they belong. We have been on an email crusade jamming the Inboxes of A&E’s and their sponsors’. Also, we have been boycotting the television network and their sponsors as well, specifically YUM! foods which include Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, A&W, Long John Silvers and Wingstreet. We have also been involved in “The Pineapple Campaign”.
We along with other fans are sending pineapples (Mr. Chapman lives in and the show is filmed in Hawaii.) to A&E headquarters in New York City, at times, cases to Abbe Raven, CEO. More recently, we are boycotting The National Enquirer as well. Also, there are petitions with tens of thousands of signatures, requesting A&E to please bring the show back on the air. (One of the major ones is The Keep Dog On TV Petition, http://www.petitiononline.com/
Also, and most importantly, we are holding a rally on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at The A&E Building - 235 East 45th St., New York, from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM. We believe Mr. Chapman deserves a second chance, as he has given so many chances to others.
Below is a view which all Mr. Chapmans’ fans hold to be true and honest.
It is my firm belief that the conversation between Dog and his son should have remained a private conversation. Additionally, I believe that by so many people adding hype to this inappropriate issue it is obvious that “Dog” himself has and is sufficiently punishing himself for letting his guard down and making a comment that was made in anger to his son. I honestly do not believe that it was the intent of “Dog” to hurt anyone with the use of t he “N” word. By publicly deciding the outcome of the future for “Dog” and his entire family over one inappropriate word seems so wrong.
To quote scripture “Those among you who are WITHOUT sin cast the first stone”. Perhaps you haven’t used the “N” word however, the word Jew, Wetback, Whitie along with hundreds of other scenarios are every bit as hurtful to those it is applicable to. Dog does not fit the profile acceptable to mainstream America by presenting his personal taste, methods, expressions etc… Those who enjoy his program have known simply for those reasons that it was only a matter of time before something of this nature devastated his career. Why can’t America simply accept his apology and move past this. If all of our conversations were put on public display how many of us would be standing in similar shoes? He was provoked by his son when this comment was made. How many of us say things in anger or when provoked that we would give anything to take back? The attention to all the counseling, guidance and respect he gives to those individuals he brings to justice has not been mentioned once. How many of us are the proverbial “Pot calling the kettle black”? We each have one judge in this life and that is GOD ALMIGHTY, I believe He has the judgment issue under control without our help. I say “Forgive” and move on.
Dog the Bounty Hunter: Black Group To Host Book Signing and Christmas Toy Giveaway With “Dog The Bounty Hunter”
Monday, December 10, 2007
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson’s Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny(BOND), Stretches Out a Hand to Help Someone in Need:
The Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson has spent his entire life stretching out his hands, to help those in need help themselves. Helping others is what the Rev. does; it’s his life’s work.
Now, he sees someone else that needs help, and so he’s stretching out his hand once more.
This time his helping hand is doing double duty: while he’s helping the young men at his Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny(BOND) Home for Boys, he’s also reaching out to help another in need: Duane “Dog” Chapman.
From the BOND press release a few minutes ago:
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles based nonprofit organization BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny, will host a Book Signing for Duane “Dog” Chapman’s book “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide”, as well as a Christmas toy giveaway for kids on Saturday, December 15, at 11:30a.m.PST.
Who: BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny.
What: Book Signing and Christmas toy giveaway (proceeds go towards the “BOND Home For Boys”)
When: Saturday, December 15, at 11:30 a.m. PST.
Where: BOND Headquarters, 6146 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90035 (S.E. Corner of Pico and La Cienega).
Why: Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND began working with Dog after his popular A&E show “Dog The Bounty Hunter” was suspended when a private message from Dog, which contained racial slurs, was made public. “We don’t condone racial slurs, but upon hearing Dog’s apology and after meeting with him and his family, we don’t believe he’s a racist. We also believe that Duane “Dog” Chapman sincerely wants to make amends to the black community, and deserves a second chance,” said Rev. Peterson.
Come meet “Dog the Bounty Hunter”, purchase an autographed copy of his book; and pick up free Christmas toys for the kids. This event is free and open to the public. You must bring the kids to get the toys. For more information, call (323) 782-1980 or visit www.bondinfo.org
How about it Dog fans?
You’ve been waiting for news of the Dog and a chance to help him out.
Now you can help the Dog and help a good cause, to boot!
We talked to Ermias Alemayehu, at BOND about the Dog appearance for a good cause.
“We help these young men and we don’t take one dime of government money. We earn it the old-fashioned way... we get out and work for our projects.”
AND if you’re not in the LA area: don’t think you can’t help out these young men at the BOND Home for Boys and, in the process, help out Dog the Bounty Hunter.
DBKP’s been getting emails for weeks... we want the Dog back!
What can we do to help the Dog?
You have your answer! Ermias says any donation will help out. Send BOND $2, $5, $10, whatever, and mark “DOG the Bounty Hunter” in the memo/note line.
“No amount is too small or too large. This is a tremendous help for us, having Dog volunteering like he has.”
Help Dog help BOND help these young men help themselves.
Send a message here. BOND will help Dog, Dog will help BOND’s Home for Boys, and everyone might just have a merrier Christmas.
MORE on BOND
BOND: Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny
What is BOND?
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson and BOND are standing in the gap on behalf of fathers and their families.
Thanks to your support, we are rebuilding our families and communities.
We are making a profound difference, through our powerful meetings for men and women, Sunday Services, counseling, mentoring, and tutoring; and through programs such as our BOND Home for Boys, After School Character Building Program and Entrepreneur Program; as well as through our radio and TV programs, conferences, workshops, town hall meetings, articles, interviews, and Moral Reconstruction Campaign.
BOND Home for BoysThe BOND Home for Boys is helping build Black fathers, one young man at a time.
Residents of the BOND home come from foster care, group homes, juvenile detention centers, transitional housing, and sometimes the streets. More important than where each boy comes from is his attitude, and willingness to overcome his past.
Prior to being accepted into the program, each applicant is evaluated to measure this willingness.BOND’s Home is much more than just a physical shelter for young men... it is a full program, with requirements, expectations, and abundant learning opportunities.
Residents of the home are helped to overcome anger right from the beginning. This is critical, as anger will have been the number one impediment to their happiness and success in life.
To this end, they are counseled by Rev. Peterson, both individually and in group settings. The young men are tutored when needed, helped to put their finances in order, are assisted in finding and holding employment, and are guided to find their purpose in life. Those so inclined are encouraged to start businesses.
The BOND Home has been a resounding success and has transformed young men who previously had futures which held little promise. It stands as an excellent example for the surrounding community.
There is a constant waiting list at the BOND home, with a great need for more homes like this one, as
even a cursory visit to any juvenile detention center would reveal. BOND plans to start new homes as funds allow.
Donate to the BOND Home for Boys
Want to learn more about Bond?
CALL US: 323-782-1980 Toll Free: 1-800-411-BOND (2663)
One can’t help but be impressed with this tremendously needed program.
Can you help the Dog help out those young men at BOND?
We’re all waiting on that answer.
“We don’t believe in being shackled by the government, we’d rather work... and Dog is volunteering to help us do some good.”
ANY Dog fan worth his salt in the LA area, head on over to BOND, bring the kids, meet the Dog, and show some support. You’ve been waiting for something you can help out on... well, here it is
Dog the Bounty Hunter: Civil Right Pioneer to Mentor Bounty Hunter
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
December 11
Innis once took Freedom Rides Across the South, Now Embarks on a Different Ride: mentoring the chastised star of the “Dog the Bounty Hunter” TV Series, Duane Chapman.
Roy Innis is no stranger to either standing up or speaking out when the need arises
* DBKP Talks to CORE
Another black group has reached out a hand to help and offered a voice to further the education of Duane “Dog” Chapman.
This time, it’s one of America’s oldest civil rights groups, C.O.R.E. (Congress of Racial Equality). Civil rights pioneer, Roy Innis, met with Duane “Dog” Chapman and members of his family for consultation and education/mentoring.
Roy Innis, National Chairman of CORE, met with “Dog, the Bounty Hunter” on Tuesday, December 11 at noon at the CORE national headquarters in New York City. Innis has agreed to mentor Chapman in his efforts to seek reconciliation and atonement for his repeated and careless use of the “N word.”
From left, Roy Innis, national chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality, Beth Chapman and Duane “Dog” Chapman, star of the reality show “Dog, the Bounty Hunter” pray before lunch in New York on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. Chapman was invited to lunch with leaders from CORE to discuss race relations and education. Chapman’s show was suspended after his son Tucker sold to a tabloid magazine a private phone conversation where Dog repeatedly used a racial slur urging Tucker to break up with a black girlfriend.
DBKP got to talk a bit with CORE spokesman, Brian McLaughlin.
According to McLaughlin, Dog met with Innis and CORE staff and explained about his life, background and about his “not wanting to hurt anybody with my words”.
“This was a good step forward for him; to be able to continue on the path of changing some offensive behavior.”
“Duane Chapman was contrite and offered no excuses. He didn’t try to waffle. He was genuine. He said ‘I was wrong’. The feeling here was that Dog was a ‘man’s man’ by owning up to his actions and wanting to change.”
CORE is using the episode as an opportunity to educate instead of pointing fingers.
“This is not a good word for anyone to be using,” explained McLaughlin. “Regardless of who you are.”
McLaughlin also said that Innis and Chapman talked about how powerful words can be.
“Be careful what you say: words can hurt.”
“Words have that power to hurt and sometimes, people aren’t aware of how much power words have. Whether it’s in politics or on the playground, words mean something.”
Many people are familiar with both Roy Innis and Duane “Dog” Chapman. Most of those have heard of Dog’s rough upbringing and rise through hard work, to become star of TV’s “Dog the Bounty Hunter” show.
Some may not be as familiar with Innis’s climb to become head of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) also achieved with hard work.
Roy Innis joined CORE’s Harlem chapter in 1963. In 1964 he was elected Chairman of the chapter’s education committee and became a forceful advocate of community-controlled education and black empowerment.
He led CORE’s fight for an independent police review board to address cases of police brutality. In 1965, he was elected Chairman of Harlem CORE, after which he mounted a vigorous campaign for establishment of an independent Board of Education for Harlem.
A proposition to this end was presented to the 1967 New York State Constitutional Convention.[2]
Over the years, CORE has provided a much sought-after resource for mediation between divergent groups, in part due to CORE’s mission:
“To foster greater understanding and communication between the races and ethnic groups in the United States and globally.” According to Mr. Innis, “It’s important to understand that we can not end racism without being willing to listen to the person that you believe has offended you.
Duane Chapman has reached out to CORE because we have a reputation of giving people a chance to be heard in a neutral arena.”
Niger Innis, National Spokesman for CORE, also be attended the first consultation.
Niger contends strongly that the “N word” is being abused by the entertainment industry. He sees its use becoming so commonplace that people are desensitized to its impact.
He states, “Our reaction to the N word is a farce. There is absolutely a double standard in the media. A ‘pass’ is given to certain entertainers like Dave Chappelle. As much as I love Dave, he is allowed to do whole skits on the N word without public outcry.”
“Rappers are also given a pass to use the N word with far more consistency and stereotyping.” Niger believes that Duane is a victim of pop culture’s “pass / no-pass system.”
He applauds Duane’s efforts, because he suspects that on some level he wasn’t totally comfortable with the rampant use of the N word. Says Niger, “He was certainly trying to protect himself from the media, but he was also in a Freudian way, stating a problem.”
Duane has expressed his eagerness to correct misconceptions about himself and to repair his breach of confidence. He particularly wants to restore the relationship he had with the Black community.
He erroneously believed that that word had evolved to be a term of camaraderie. Duane stated that he does not want to be seen as a white racist. According to Chapman, he moved his family to Hawaii because he loved the racial diversity.
Chapman’s European and Native American ancestry, an ancestry Chapman has made part of his persona on his television program, has always made him aware that diversity is important.
In the upcoming year, there will be a series of scheduled consultations between Roy Innis and Duane Chapman. Mr. Innis hopes that he will be able to impart key ideas of the Civil Rights movement and in-depth analysis of the current state of race relations in America. He is pleased that Duane will be attending the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Awards Dinner on January 21, 2008.
ABOUT Roy Innis:
Roy Innis’ involvement in criminal justice matters spans his entire career in CORE. His investigation in the early 1980s led to the uncovering of evidence that Wayne Williams was not solely responsible for the Atlanta Child Murders.
His defense of victims’ rights to defend themselves led to his support and involvement in highly publicized cases such as: the “subway gunman,” Bernhard Goetz; “subway token booth clerk”, James Grimes; the “candyman good Samaritan”, Andy Fredericks; the “black Bernie Goetz”, Austin Weeks; and the accused “remember me subway shooter” Clemente Jackson.
Roy Innis is a nationally known advocate of Second Amendment rights, and is a current board member of the National Rifle Association.
Some of his activities include: investigating and exposing the Tawana Brawley hoax; overseeing and participating in a citizen’s anti-drug campaign, “One Street At A Time”; championing the rights of immigrants; fighting against public indecency and predatory crime in an all-out effort to clean up New York City’s crime-ridden streets and subway system.
Innis lost two of his sons to criminal gun violence. His first son, Roy Innis, Jr., at the age of 13 in 1968. His next oldest son Alexander, 26, was shot and slain some years later in 1982.
Roy Innis is no stranger to either controversy or speaking out, no matter who the opponent.
He was noted for starting two televised scuffles in 1988, one on Geraldo against white supremacists, particularly John Metzger, and another on The Morton Downey Jr. Show against Reverend Al Sharpton, when Sharpton was pushed over his chair.
McLaughlin noted that Roy Innis has many times stated that during the days of the battles for civil rights, black leaders of all political viewpoints would stand on a stage together and join in and lend their voices to the discussion.
Now, perhaps, some of those voices are more concerned with issues other than racial harmony.
Roy Innis, throughout his career, has stood up and spoke out for what he believes, no matter what the challenge. Innis is once again taking the opportunity, not only to speak out, but to teach.
His subject this time: Dog the Bounty Hunter and society’s increasing desensitization to the N-word.
BLACK NONPROFIT HOSTS ‘DOG’ CHAPMAN EVENT
Org. says bounty hunter wants to make amends and deserves second chance.
December 14, 2007
Unlike “Seinfeld” star Michael Richards, who went into hiding following a talk show apology tour addressing his racist statements, Duane “Dog “Chapman seems to be doing just the opposite.
Less than two months after his N-word-laced phone conversation was leaked in the National Enquirer, he was photographed with the Four Tops on Tuesday while backstage at their concert in Honolulu; and on Saturday (Dec. 15) he’ll sign copies of his book at an event hosted by the African American group, Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND).
The book-signing for Chapman’s “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide,” to be held at BOND’s Los Angeles headquarters (6146 West Pico Blvd.), will double as a Christmas toy giveaway – with proceeds benefiting the BOND Home for Boys.
BOND founder and President Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson says he began working with Dog after his A&E show “Dog The Bounty Hunter” was suspended in the wake of his leaked phone conversation.
“We don’t condone racial slurs, but upon hearing Dog’s apology and after meeting with him and his family, we don’t believe he’s a racist,” Peterson said in a statement.
Dog Purchases $26,000 Work Of Toys For Kids
Organization says bounty hunter wants to make amends and deserves second chance.
Race row Dog turned from bounty hunter to Santa Claus when he picked up $26,000 dollars worth of toys for children’s charities.
Dog the Bounty Hunter, real name Duane Chapman, went to ‘Toys ‘R’ Us’ in L.A. with wife Beth to buy Christmas presents for the BOND Home for Boys and the Jim Gillian Youth Center charities.
The reality TV star arrived at the toy store in a stretched limo, with an entourage of under-privileged children.
Dog, 54, then went around the store’s aisles with Beth filling up a number of trolley’s with toys for the kids, including footballs, remote-control cars and action figures.
An onlooker inside the store revealed that Dog was playing American Football with the children and was very generous with his money.
He said: “Dog was playing ball with the kids inside the store. He was throwing an American football around for them to catch. He had lots of trolley’s full of toys and was enjoying buying Christmas presents.”
The bystander also revealed how Dog was careful with what he bought for the children. “Dog was buying pretty much everything but he drew the line when one of the kids asked for a toy gun. He told the boy straight that they weren’t allowed any weapons.”
After the Dog’s massive shop, a lorry was on order to pick up the $26,000 worth of toys to transport them to the child centers.
Chapman then met fans outside the store and posed for a number of pictures before heading off back home after his good deed.
Bounty Hunter Duane hit the front pages over a month ago, after he reportedly used a racial slur during a recorded conversation with his son, Tucker Chapman, in which he urged him to break up with a black girlfriend.
US magazine The National Enquirer taped the conversation and released it to the public after reportedly paying Tucker $15,000 for it.
The Honolulu-based bounty hunter first grabbed headlines when he captured serial rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in Mexico in 2003.
His hit TV series followed him and his tattooed band of merry men as they tracked down bail jumpers. The show starred members of Chapman’s family, but Tucker Chapman was not regularly featured.
Dog’s show was taken off air indefinitely by the A&E network after the controversy.
|
|
This Dog The Bounty Hunter Website, it's Design, Content & Hosting
Courtesy of the Terry G. Hembree Family Trust in Support of Duane "Dog" Chapman
|