Today, Dog the Bounty Hunter; Duane Chapman has apologized for going on a racist tirade where he uses the “n” word repeatedly. Dog’s son, Leland is dating a woman, Monique Shinnery, who is African American. A private tape has been leaked on the Internet where Dog is basically telling his son that he will not be able to continue with the show if he continues to date a black woman. He says that due to the fact that he continually uses the “n” word, his career would be in jeopardy if the “Enquirer” ever got wind of his language and personal practices.
Looks like Dog’s worst fear came true. The National Enquirer somehow got hold of the tape (a private conversation) and late on Oct. 31st, the Arts and Entertainment channel suspended production of the show, Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Besides the fact that the situation is extremely ironic, it is interesting to note that Dog has lately been making appearances on Christian television promoting his faith. Well, it wouldn’t take anyone a great deal of time watching the show to figure out that Dog hasn’t mastered his foul language so I don’t think anyone is too surprised that he uses the “n” word as frequently as he does. However, what may be surprising is the fact that Dog and Beth Chapman’s pastor is none other than African American, Tim Storey. So it is clearly evident that Dog is not a card carrying member of the KKK, because if he was, he certainly wouldn’t have an African American pastor or be seen on shows such as TBN embracing him and telling him how much he loves him and appreciates him.
I think what is evident however, is that Americans have a truly warped view regarding race in America. Just by listening to Dog Chapman, Imus, and Michael Richards you can tell that people don’t truly embrace equality amongst races and that habits steeped in hatred are hard to break.
My guess, is that none of them are truly racists, just truly Americans who have a twisted view and understanding as to what it means to be “tolerant.” You see, I can say this because I am biracial. My mother is African American and my father is black. However, I look white and many people have never suspected that I was of mixed race. Because of this, I have heard many Caucasian people make racial slurs without intending to state that they are looking for someone to lynch. It must have been something in my eye, because it never failed for the next comments to be one of near apology and excuse. I always hear the excuse, “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate black people. I had a friend who was black, once.”
That’s always been my open door. I think I just love the pure shock value of telling people that I’m mixed and watching the look of horror spread across their faces as they realize the things they have just said.
It’s time that America realizes that you can’t look at people and presume to know their racial backgrounds. I have known people who my Great Grandmother, from Barbados, would refer to as “blacker than the ace of spades” who had a white parent and I have known fair skinned, red haired freckled girls who had a black father. You simply can’t use racist terms to denote someone’s race because there is no way to know exactly what race someone is.
However, when someone uses an offensive word to describe a person based upon the color of their skin, little room is left for misinterpretation. Unfortunately, that is what Imus, Michael Richards, and Dog the Bounty Hunter have done.
Dog says he’s sorry. But I suspect that his comments were a result of breeding and he truly doesn’t even know what he’s done wrong. To be sorry means to repent, and to be repentant only has one true definition- to change. It is clear that Dog is just as confused as the majority of Americans regarding racial issues since he has an African American pastor but thinks his son shouldn’t date an African American woman.
If Dog the Bounty Hunter, Imus, and Michael Richards are truly sorry for their statements, they will change. However, they can’t just change a belief system like you change your socks. Changing a belief system takes serious work. It’s one thing to punish those in the limelight by taking away their jobs, but I don’t think that is going to change the way they’ve thought all of their lives. If Dog the Bounty Hunter is truly sorry, he will embrace his son’s girlfriend with open arms. If Leland and Monique get married and have children, Dog will have plenty of opportunities to show that he’s changed.
Update: It turns out that the identity of Dog’s son in question is, Tucker Chapman, not Leland. See my updated post on this.
Uh…”You see, I can say this because I am biracial. My mother is African American and my father is black.”
(???)
Comment by C C — November 3, 2007 @ 11:40 pm