Last month, I blogged here and here in solidarity with the Afrosphere Action Coalition's campaign to stop "Dog" Chapman from returning to the tv screen after his refusal to address his openly racist past(?) attitudes and behaviors.
Now, the AAC has issued the following statement:
After contacting the A&E Network and some of its advertisers about the return of Duane “Dog” Chapman’s show “Dog The Bounty Hunter” to the air waves, the Afrosphere Action Coalition released a statement on June 17th “expressing our dissatisfaction with the network’s decision." In anticipation of the planned return of the show, we also hosted the Day of Blogging for Respect in Media.
A&E’s regrettable reply was predictable and dismissive. Nonetheless, the AAC and our constituents remain undeterred in our opposition to the show's return as “Dog” has never owned up to what he actually said, nor demonstrated any change or shown action to make amends; but instead simply put on a PR show with the desire of maintaining commercial viability.
A&E’s regrettable reply was predictable and dismissive. Nonetheless, the AAC and our constituents remain undeterred in our opposition to the show's return as “Dog” has never owned up to what he actually said, nor demonstrated any change or shown action to make amends; but instead simply put on a PR show with the desire of maintaining commercial viability.
As the new season of “Dog The Bounty Hunter” airs Wednesday, July 16th, the AAC will be monitoring the program for those advertisers who have chosen to put their brands at unnecessary risk by propping up the position of a public figure who engages in racial denigration; after which we will continue to alert the broader public about those who choose to stand for respect of all peoples in media, versus those corporations standing simply for what they perceive will advantage the bottom line, above all else.
The AAC has and continues to “urge A&E in the strongest terms to reverse course and withdraw their support for Duane Chapman and the 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' show. Until A&E does so, we have no alternative but to inform the viewing public and urge them to withdraw support from A&E and its advertisers. If Duane Chapman had come clean about his racially demeaning behavior and attitudes, thereby demonstrating real sincerity towards actual change, perhaps there may have been a place for him again in the public square. But on the record A&E has set before us, he has simply gotten a vacation and we cannot accept that he is again receiving a platform and further financial reward.”
The AAC has and continues to “urge A&E in the strongest terms to reverse course and withdraw their support for Duane Chapman and the 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' show. Until A&E does so, we have no alternative but to inform the viewing public and urge them to withdraw support from A&E and its advertisers. If Duane Chapman had come clean about his racially demeaning behavior and attitudes, thereby demonstrating real sincerity towards actual change, perhaps there may have been a place for him again in the public square. But on the record A&E has set before us, he has simply gotten a vacation and we cannot accept that he is again receiving a platform and further financial reward.”
It was pointed out to me about another matter in Louisiana recently that one of the problems those of us who push for social change have is that we often quit pushing when we don't win. Unlike our opponents who never sit down, no matter how badly they lose. It's a tactic we need to learn. Slow and steady wins the course.
To get on the bandwagon, go to BlackPerspective.net.
