|
Roy Innis, National Chairman of CORE, Congress of Racial
Equality, and other CORE officials met with Bounty Hunter
Duane "Dog", Chapman on Tuesday, December 11 at CORE's National
Headquarters in NYC. Innis agreed to mentor Chapman in his
efforts to seek reconciliation and atonement for his
careless use of the "N" word.
(l-r Beth Chapman; Duane "Dog" Chapman, CORE Executive
Director,
George Holmes, CORE’s Advisory Board Chairman, Joe Lovece,
Jr.
& CORE Chairman, Roy Innis.
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."
Dog and wife,
Beth pose with staff
at CORE’s Offices
in NY following
a meeting with
CORE officials
CORE's Executive Director, George Holmes and National
Spokesman for CORE, Niger Innis, will also be attending 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. |
|
Dog and wife, Beth pose with staff at CORE’s Offices in NY
following a meeting with CORE officials
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 and 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
comradery. Duane stated that hedoes 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. |
