After watching Sean Hannity interview Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, I can only say that I personally am willing to forgive the Dog. The controversy surrounding the Dog’s use of the n-word is not as ebony and ivory as it is made out to be. Before delving into complex racial issues because it’s my blog and I can, we all need to lighten up. No, I did not advocate black people going the Michael Jackson route. It’s an expression.
Is Dog just the fall guy? No, that would be a different bounty hunter played by Lee Majors in the 1980s. I bet you all now have the theme to that show stuck in your head.
“Well I’m not the kind to kiss and tell, but I’ve been seen with Farah…I’ve never been with anything less than a 9…so fine…
I’ve been on fire with Sally Field, gone fast with a girl named Bo…but somehow, they just don’t end up as mine…
It’s a death defying life I lead, I take my chances…I die for a living in the movies and tv… but the hardest thing I ever do is watch my leading ladies…kiss some other guy while I’m bandaging my knee…
I might fall from a tall building, I might roll a brand new car…’cause I’m the unknown stuntman, that made Redford such a star…
I never spent much time in school, but I taught ladies plenty…it’s true I hire my body out for pay…hey hey…
I’ve gotten burned over Cheryl Tiegs, blown up for Raquel Welch…but when I wind up in the hay it’s only hey, hey hey…
I might jump an open drawbridge, or Tarzan from a vine…’cause I’m the unknown stuntman, that makes Eastwood look so fine…
They’ll never make me President, but I’ve got the best First Ladies…some days I’ve got ’em as far as the eye can see, hoo wee…
I’ve born and died with Jackie Smith, I crash in the night with Cheryl…but in the end they never stay with me…
I might fall from a tall building, so Burt Reynold’s don’t get hurt…I might leap a mighty canyon, so he can kiss and flirt…while that smooth talker’s kissing my girl, I’m just kissing dirt…yes I’m the lonely stuntman, that made a lover out of Burt.”
Ok, enough with Colt and any other animals. Back to the Dog.
He used the n-word. This is not a joke, and it is not a laughing matter. It is a disgusting word that sears souls. When a white man directs it towards a black man, it is meant with hatred.
Yet some have argued that a black man can say it to another black man with love. Richard Pryor and Chris Rock used it frequently in their comedy routines. I vehemently disagree with this. Richard Pryor said he would stop, and Chris Rock can be hysterically funny without using it. If a comedian needs the word to be funny, then they are not funny.
So what do we make of Dog? First of all, this is not Michael Richards or Don Imus. They had public platforms, and abused their platforms by publicly attacking people. Dog Chapman had a private phone conversation recorded by his own son, who betrayed him.
Yes, Dog is a victim in this situation. He was absolutely wrong to use the word, but why are more people not condemning the fact that his own flesh and blood betrayed him with the help of a complicit media? How many finger pointers have horrible thoughts in their own private conversations? How many jokes have they told at parties that would be embarrassing if they were recorded? Dog Chapman is being pilloried for thinking bad thoughts.
First of all, why was Dog using the n-word to begin with? According to him, and I believe him, he saw it as brotherly joking with his black friends, who use it with each other. He assumed, completely incorrectly, that because he was so progressive and “down with them,” that he would be seen as black himself.
This is not crazy. Ask a random sample of black men whether Bill Clinton or Clarence Thomas is “blacker,” and most of them would say Clinton. I may think this is insane, since to me race is pigmentation, nothing more, nothing less. Yet many black men who have no problems with colorblindness truly believe that certain characteristics completely irrespective of race can shape a man’s race. This can be damaging because “acting black,” is often seen as behaving like a thug, while “acting white,” means being a successful white collar professional. “Street Cred” becomes more important than decent behavior.
Duane Chapman bought into this misguided myth. He found out the hard way that he is not one of the “homies.” So to all upper middle class white teenagers who try to “act black,” you are a uniting factor in the sense that urban blacks and mainstream whites will both agree that you look like idiots, whether it be the pants hanging low or the baseball cap on backwards.
Some say context is everything. With some words, yes. Snoop Doggy Dogg refers in his songs to women as b*tches and hos. I am actually not offended by this, and have defended him, because he is not attacking specific private individuals. He is attacking generic women that use men for their money and fame. However, Don Imus referred to specific identifiable women as hos. That crossed the line.
https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/05/in-defizzle-defense-of-snoop-doggy-dogg-or-whatever-he-calls-himself-this-week/
As for the n-word, I do not believe that there is an acceptable context. Yet while Dog may be saying it jokingly with his black friends, the context in which he laced into his son’s girlfriend goes way beyond any bounds of decency. He simply should not have called her that. There is no excuse for that.
Having said that, while Dog’s choice of words was reprehensible, his concerns about her were completely well founded. He was worried that she would try to tape record him using the n-word, and then sell it to the media to humiliate him, and make money for herself. That is exactly what ended up happening. For her to go on tv and say that she feels he is a racist, and how dare he think bad things about her, is ludicrous (not to be confused with Ludacris, who says many bad words that do not offend me). She did exactly what he thought she would do. She is contemptible, and so is the Dog’s own son for betraying his father. The only reason anyone knows who this woman is is because she dated the son of a famous man. If Snoop Doggy Dogg had called her a bad name, nobody would bat an eyelash, least of all me.
(On a side note, more proof that Mr. Chapman wants to be black is his adopting a nickname shared with black rappers such as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Nate Dogg and others. Perhaps Mr. Chapman truly believed he was a member of the Dogg Pound. He needs to stop insulting blacks, and start insulting women, especially the ones that are hos)
So what is the solution for the Dog? The answer is contrition. I saw a very contrite man. Some may say he is being contrite to save his job as head of a popular television show, but anyone watching his interview can see a man who is ashamed at what he said. He repeatedly said that he will apologize until the day he dies.
I hope he does not do this. I hope he apologizes for a finite amount of time, and then is allowed to move forward. If he is fired from his show (he is currently suspended), then that is his price. However, he has asked for forgiveness, and I believe he is sincere. He should be forgiven.
Some will say that words are not enough, and that they need to be matched with deeds.
One such deed could be some form of sensitivity training. Dog already has a spiritual adviser who happens to be black, and he clearly now sees why he cannot say the n-word. So if Dog has learned that what he did wrong, what else is there? Sure, he could make a donation to some black charity, but those who despise him will then say he is only doing it to save his reputation. In short, those who want to pillory him will never stop.
One thing Dog should absolutely not do is have repeated meetings with Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. They are human garbage, as racist and poisonous to society as David Duke. They are true racists, and unlike Dog, they have never apologized for some of their more hateful remarks. I am sure both of them will give full absolution to the Dog once he has made “restitution,” in the form of a generous “donation,” to the Rainbow Coalition or National Action Network.
Sorry, but the National Agitation Network has enough guilty white liberal blood money. If Dog wants to make things better, he should not be spending any time around people who benefit and thrive by making things worse.
Dog should speak to people who are not mired in corruption…people who can still be molded into positive members of society…students. He can go to junior high schools and speak to classes about his experiences, and where he and they should go from here. Think about how boring most school assemblies are. This would not be boring. It would be something most assemblies only dream of being…useful.
The Dog has done some positive things in his life. He arrests criminals who jump bail. The streets are safer because of men like him. As the expression goes, “it’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.” When dealing with a violent criminal element, I can see why he would use foul language. However, it is one thing to curse. It is another to denigrate an entire race of people, even unintentionally.
Dog caused people pain. For this, he has to face some form of punishment, and his suspension and humiliation are sufficient. The pain he caused was unintentional. For this, he must be forgiven and brought back into the family of humanity. Human beings who judge him would want nothing less for themselves.
eric
I saw the interview as well. He is either the best actor in the world or just completely sorry for making a horrible mistake.
First, it is clear that this guy has lived a very difficult life. A lot of it he brought on himself, however most would have given up after the circumstance he put himself into. He is a role model and an inspiration to many and he should be.
He did a stupid thing and a terrible thing however, I find it hard to believe that most are really that perfect that they haven’t done just as bad. Of course, he should be forgiven because he is asking for forgiveness and he is being completely sincere.
Remember John Travolta in Pulp Fiction
“don’t you know that once you say you are sorry you are immediately forgiven for that sin”
Yes, his words are hurtful, however are we now supposed to disregard all the good he has done. How many bad guys are no longer roaming the streets because of his dedication and courage? Doesn’t all of that good buy him some mercy?
Frankly, I think most people will forgive him soon enough. He did what a lot of people do. He lashed out in anger. He had a great deal of anger toward his son at the time of the call and he wanted to punctuate the anger with the words. Obviously, he had no idea he was being taped, however he wanted to hurt his son and he used the words as a means of doing it. This is wrong and he needs to square that with his son, however if the public at large doesn’t accept his heart felt apology they are frankly heartless in my opinion.
The Dog is a slob. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s been found out.
JMJ
The guy above that just called Dog a “slob”, is doing just what Dog did. He uses a word that comes easy to him. If eveyone was to tell him that he that no one should use that word at anyone and it is derogatory and insensitive, would he stop and apologize to the world, or just shrug it off? Hypocritical?
Jersey, my wife met the man personally when I was locked up for clocking a cop.
He arranged my bail on extremly limited terms. (financially)
My wife has never lied to me.
He is a decent genuine nice guy. He could yeach you a thing or two.
He even called after I served my sentence to see if he could help in any way.
Have you ever met the man?
Ken Chang you hit it on the nose.
The man guy above will probably shrug it off.
It’s a sorry day when what people say in the privacy of their own homes to their own family members becomes fodder for race baiters and sleazy reporters. His public behavior is what he should be judged on, not the betrayals of privacy by his son. Who among us has never lost their temper with family and said things that we don’t want to air publicly? When did the thought police get the right to destroy anyone for a few words out of line? Don Imus made a similar mistake on the air. Both men took “permission” to use this language from the pervasive use by blacks. Neither recognized the double standard that is currently applied. “Hate speech” can be used with impunity to only a few these days: white males, the overweight, Christians, conservative speakers on college campuses. The First Amendment applies only to “journalists.” The rest of us need not apply.
My friends, I happen to be quite familiar with a quite prominent bounty hunter. I have nothing personal against bounty hunters beside that I think their trade should not be legal. Good for them. I’m not really hard on the issue. But pride and hubris and megalomania are sorry excuses for human indecency. I’ve done some things for a living that I am not especially proud of. I didn’t have to act like a jackass for it, but I sure feel like a jackass for doing it. I never strut around like the center of the universe, demanding of all around me to do as I say and adore me. It takes a sick, really insecure guy to think like that. That kind of behavior comes from I would call a scumbag. That’s the kinda guy that makes you wish there was no schoolyard. That’s the kinda guy that falls down because Karma, or God, or just Reality catches up with them one day. And they cry like the people they pushed around. The “Dog” is the star of a tragic comedy.
JMJ
JMJ said;
Karma, or God, or just Reality catches up with them one day”
Interesting, coming from an athiest
But still, you do exactly what you bash him for doing.
You only know what you saw on TV. Its a show.
He is first and foremost a bail bondsman. He helps individuals and families who are in predicaments with the law.
Do have any idea how hard it is to obtain decent counsel while you’re in the hole ?
You get to talk on the phone for 15 minutes a day, its a joke.
We need to get out of jail so we dont lose our jobs, our livelyhoods and make arrangements in case of a certain sentence.
The man has picked more people up off the ground and steered them right in one month than you probably ever will Jersey.
He lives here in hawaii and is one of our stelar citizens and very much loved.
No matter what you think, one way or the other.
Lets see how long you last being in the hole before you wish or find out that you are more valuable out than in.
No Micky, I’m nothing like him. I’m a decent, humble man.
JMJ
So you say.
JMJ said;
The Dog is a slob. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s been found out.”
Did you know something about him that we dont know ?
Jersey said.
I never strut around like the center of the universe, demanding of all around me to do as I say ”
I cant even count how many times you have told me that something “is” because you say it “is”. Would you like me to dig up all the times you have claimed to know only things that would be an individuals secret or God could know ?
You expect people to take your word for it when you calla man a slob, jackass and scumbag.
I have spoken to the man on the phone on three occassions, my wife twice and has met him personally. And that is real fact.
I speak from first hand knowledge and you speak from what you see on the tube.
Brilliant.
I hate the show because I know how he really is.
You hate him because you think the show is how he really is.
A truly humble man would admitt he does not know everything just because he percieves it a certain way.
I’m a mess, an asshole with a temper and can be pretty mean and thoughtless at times. I say things I dont mean sometimes. I can be autocratic and dictative with my kids.
But I am aware of all this , and so I monitor myself and make apologies and adjustments to myself constantly , because I will never stop growing till the day I die.
This makes me human and I could stand to be more humble at times.
But I do not practice contempt prior to investigation, are you listening ?
I just watched “the dog” on Larry King tonight and i beleive he is sincere in his apologies.We all say things in anger we wish we hadnt said.And he is no different than any one of us.The man has done more good for people who most of us wouldnt give a helping hand to..I for one think hes an awesome guy and a great role model.I have grandsons who have had run ins with local police and they do not respect them because of the treatment they have recieved at thier hands,and truth be told i have not met many myself whom i could say are good guys.I wish more of them were like Duane Chapman.Both of my teenage grandsons look up to the “dog” as do i .Hope his show gets back on the air asap.MY prayers are with him and his family, his boys should be ashamed with what they have done to their father ,yet he forgives them i dont know if i could do the same Keep your chin up dog hope to see you soon back on A+E.A fan from Canada.
Tygrrr;
“He can go to junior high schools and speak to classes about his experiences, and where he and they should go from here. Think about how boring most school assemblies are. This would not be boring. It would be something most assemblies only dream of being…useful.”
He’s been doing that for years over here.
http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=099d76c5-c67e-4238-93a5-5f14df5b9833
” noting that the former biker gang member has since become a positive role model in the Hawaiian community, visiting local schools to speak out against drugs and crime and donating his time to aid various local charities and causes.”
“Tuesday’s declaration praised Chapman for never using a gun while doing his job as well as for treating his captures humanely by praying with them and offering them sage advice once he’s taken them into custody. ”
Even calling myself to see if I had everything back on track after serving my time.
We are one of the top three states in the country when it comes to cultural blends, in my conversations with him he never once used a racial slur.
JMJ said;
Karma, or God, or just Reality catches up with them one day”
His Karma is good, his reality is his own jersey and not yours to witness or act as if you know anything about it.
And God is on his side.
He’ll be just fine.
God is a joke, Micky.
So is the Dog.
Just listen to the man speak. Listen to the stupid phone call he made. He’s a joke. A living joke. Only Americans would be stupid enough to think him anything mroe than a joke. What a low brow people we’ve become.
JMJ
Have you heard the entire 10 minute phone call jersey ?
Have you listened to yourself ?
Have you ever met the man ?
JMJ said;
“What a low brow people we’ve become.”
And you my friend are by no means a spectacle of taste and class yourself.
If God is such a joke jersey , why do you proclaim the Dog will have to answer to him.
How can an athiest who claims God does not exist on the other hand say that God will catch up with the Dog one day?
And I quote you;
“JMJ said;
Karma, or God, or just Reality catches up with them one day”
Please explain this to me.
Dog Chapman was having a private phone conversation with his son. His son betrayed him to make a little money. He does not need to apologize to anyone.
Michael Richards went onstage and went into an “N” word rant against a heckler. He was wrong and it will follow him for a long time.
But IMUS was making a joke that wasn’t a joke. And he didn’t know the women on the Rutgers team. No one did. He just thought it was a funny line. He apologized to the wrong people. Al Sharpton is the last person you apologize to. He has always been worse then anyone because he stirs up trouble when there isn’t any.
In the end Don Imus is returning intact with a nice contract. Protest all you want but it will do no good. He learned a new lesson.
The lesson is; There is a Double Standard . When all people stop bringing Imus into every racial discussion, it will be a better day for all Americans. Black, White, Blue or Green.
Micky, I put Karma, God and reality together in that comment. Guess which one I personally think caught up with him. ;)
bcvb,
His son betrayed HIM? I would put that exactly the other way around. What kind of father would say such things to his own son about his own son’s girlfriend! That’s just slovenly. This has nothing to do with Imus and his over-the-top shock-jock jokes. This has nothing to do with Richards and his distastefully intentional retorts. This is a man who made his very personal feelings very clear to his son and his son made him feel his pain the only way he could. He who lives by the media dies by the media. Rather Shakespearean, if you ask me.
There’s no double standard. If you’re a slob, and you get found out, you suffer. Sometimes you just make a dumb mistake, like Imus and Richards. Sometimes you just plain get found out. The Dog got found out. Sounds like justice to me.
JMJ
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 11/08/2007 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
Jersey would please answer the questions I asked you ?
If not it could mean that I have compromised what integrity you are percieved to have.
JMJ said;
“Micky, I put Karma, God and reality together in that comment. Guess which one I personally think caught up with him. ”
Ahh yes the ole BS two step, lets see how I can wiggle out of this one.
Why should we play games and guess Jersey? Do you think I really care?
You said something that made absolutly no sense coming from an athiest. Period
Reality is not yours to dictate when the problem is not yours, now is it ?
JMJ said;
“His son betrayed HIM? I would put that exactly the other way around. What kind of father would say such things to his own son about his own son’s girlfriend! That’s just slovenly.”
Once again, did you here the complete 10 minute conversation? Since you never answerd me the first time , you probably have not.
He explains everything in great detail.
America has only heard the juicy sound bites, like you.
What he said was wrong, no doubt. But not one thing in his life has ever shown him to be racist in any way.
His son took 60,000.00 dollars from a rag magazine to expose a verbal misjudgement on his fathers part and went on a spending spree before the story even broke.
Dog has since apologized to everyone in person, no one else involved has done the same.
JMJ said;
“This is a man who made his very personal feelings very clear to his son and his son made him feel his pain the only way he could. ”
So let me get this right. The only way his son could convey to his father that his feelings were hurt was to scam him for 60,000.00 dollars ?
And someone please tell me why this conversation was taped in the first place ?
Jersey ? Would you have that answer ?
And by the way, if you actually listen to the rest of the family and the full recording , this girl was very questionable from the beggining by her conduct, and was known not to be trusted by anyone in the family except the boyfriend.
At one point she was not even allowed in the house because she would constantly repeat things said in the house to the world.
JMJ said;
“Sometimes you just plain get found out. ”
Jersey, you need to do some “finding out ” on your own.
And since you have never met the man never mind even spoken to him it would be wise to be the “humble ” thing you say you are and do a little research before you so blindly and ignorantly go after another good man.
I can say with fact that he is not what you say, but you choose to ignore the facts.
Because it would make you look stupid if you admitted you were wrong.
So you’re screwed either way.
If you ignore the facts, you look stupid.
If you claim to know him better than I do, you look stupid.
If you continue to think you know enough to describe him with accuracy, you look stupid.
If you make all your judgements from television sound bites, you look stupid.
No doubt he did something stupid also.
But the man has extremely far more mitigating factors in his favor right now than you do..
Micky, I won’t bother address your usual pedantics, but I will say this – The Dog may be a big man, but he is a small human being.
JMJ
JMJ said;
Micky, I won’t bother address your usual pedantics, but I will say this – The Dog may be a big man, but he is a small human being.”
Does this mean you cannot answer my questions ? They are honest simple questions relevant to your own quotes.
Pedantic is a word people use to escape a debate they look foolish for continuing in at the risk of being “FOUND OUT ”
You are a classic example of self contradiction.
Only a small human being would say such a thing about another man without knowing him.
What purpose have you served to the public that has even come close to what this man has done with his life in service to others ?
Capturing Andrew Luster alone more than likely stopped a number of women from being horrified and raped.
He has locked up 6000 criminals alone in my state and not even used a gun !
That should excite you Jersey.
He has organized many charities in my state and stands as a role model and hero for thousnds of children who have already manged to forgive him.
Now if a kid can do that, whats your problem?
While you think about that , maybe at the same time (if its not too taxing) you could come up with answers to my very honest and legitimate questions.
Micky, it’s just that you always get hung up on semantics and trivialities.
JMJ
Oh, and you can call a good man whom I’ve met a slob , scumbag, insecure , a small human being and a joke.
But you have once again nothing but rhetoric and opinion to make your point.
You are talking out of your rump unless you can give me some reason to believe you.
Answer the questions please. What justifies your treatment of this man based on only what you see on the tube ?
And have you ever met him or even spoke with him before ?
Its not semantics or pedantic, its your own statements in full context I would appreciate you explaining.
I know its embarassing when you get cornerd, but its even more embarrassing
when you use weak excuses to bail.
I’m sorry Micky. He’s a public figure, I happen to know some other things about him, and while I’m sure there are some wonderful qualities about the man, overall I find him abhorant; an symbol of American social decline. I don’t like him. It’s my opinion, and I think I explained it pretty well. I could say more, but I won’t. No more about The Dog.
JMJ
Thats more like it grasshopper
Didn’t surprise me that he would have racist tendencies (hate using racist… such a strong word, but not sure what other to use in there).
I heard some news about an interview he had where he mentioned he’d be buried along with a group of slaves buried near the potomac… While, I guess it makes sense, he made it sound like punishment for what he’s done.
Not exactly the smoothest of moves – I’m sorry for saying a racist word, and now for punishment I will have my body buried with your ancestors.
Sooooooo weird. I guess that’s why Bounty Hunters don’t usually tend toward the spotlight/soapbox…
Joe