When We’re Ready For Truth…

Talking about ‘Dog’ Chapman Sorry for Using N-Word

I have had enough. And it’s not what you think. I’m not angry about all these prominent people getting caught using the word “n*gger.” That is simply putting on display what I’ve always know to be true behind closed doors. I am tired of these lame attempts at damage control. They insult my intelligence. The excuses, the half-hearted attempts to make amends, the sloppy clarifications and the meetings with black religious “leaders” are all thinly veiled attempts to hold onto a career. They aren’t quests for self-discovery, sociological enlightenment or atonement. It seems like everyone is using the same formula, and no one has sent the memo that it’s ridiculous. Um, MEMO!

Duane “Dog” Chapman was caught on tape using the word “n*gger” like water running from a tap. Yes, I was offended. Especially since he seemed to understand that the word is hurtful and wrong. But instead of making a decision not to use it, he tells his own son that he can’t date a black woman because he doesn’t want her to hear them using the word and get the wrong idea. Right… Chapman puts more foot in his mouth when he later says his stance on his son’s relationship was not about her race or the possibility of her happening upon a racial slur, but her character. Funny, he never mentioned ONE WORD about her character during his recorded tirade. The whole clip was about his freedom to use the word n*gger without the threat of losing his career.

We will never resolve the issues of racism, bigotry, hatred and prejudice if we can’t even have an honest dialogue about it. That man isn’t sorry he said those things; he’s sorry he was caught. The story is the same every time, and it isn’t just the black/white issue. I’m strong enough to handle the idea that people like this exist, so I’m strong enough to explain to them why it hurts. Likewise, I’m strong enough to hear why they think it’s okay to believe or act the way they do. I only wish we all had the strength to deal with this in a real way, not just putting a bow on an empty box.