 "Photo: Alexandra Stewart | Daily Trojan")
It's always a good day when "Dog: The Bounty Hunter" is on TV. Bored by the prostitutes and stab victims on "Cops," I enjoy watching Duane "Dog" Chapman and his family hunting down meth-crazed fugitives on the Hawaiian Islands.
The long-haired strongman, accompanied by his trademark sunglasses and busty wife, usually ends each arrest by giving fatherly advice to his capture and offering a cigarette - if that's his or her thing.
But production of the show is now suspended indefinitely after the bounty hunter's estranged son, Tucker, recorded a private phone call where Dog repeatedly used racially charged language. Tucker then sold the tape to the National Enquirer for a reported $15,000.
In the call, Dog was chewing out his son for his relationship with a black woman whom Dog suspected was leading recently paroled Tucker back into trouble.
"I heard this girl was maybe not being the best for Tucker - and I'll leave it like that - so I tried to interfere," Dog explained on "Larry King Live." "I don't care if she is black at all. He's on parole for a 20-year sentence, and if he messes up, he goes back."
Dog's recorded rant was an angry, obscenity-laced tirade. But what's worse, Dog used the n-word to refer to the girlfriend.
Over the past two weeks, Dog has been rightfully vilified in the public sphere for using such indefensible language. But knowing Dog's track record of compassionate public service, and after his repeated, presumably sincere apologies, we need to forgive and move forward.
Chapman's success story is an improbable one. Once a member of a motorcycle gang who had been arrested for armed robbery 18 times, Dog overcame his rough upbringing and limited education to become one of the most successful bounty hunters in America.
The ninth-grade dropout has reportedly captured 6,000 criminals over 27 years, most notably serial rapist Andrew Luster.
He not only brings in criminals, but also spends time visiting schools for community service events and serves as a role model for the bounty-hunting profession.
He has certainly dishonored himself for millions of adoring fans, but not irreparably.
In the interview on "Larry King Live," he was brought to tears begging for forgiveness. Unlike Paris Hilton's laughable PR stunt on the same show months earlier, Dog seemed to be truly sincere.
He wasn't trying to save his career as much as he was trying to salvage his family's good name. He knows he must make amends for what he admits was a terrible mistake.
Understandably, he doesn't want his life to be defined by this one incident, nor should it be.
Dog is one of the good guys, using his street smarts to capture runaway felons and bring them to justice. He repeatedly offers second chances to others, and we owe him the same.
A failure to move forward is needlessly hurtful, for America as well as Dog and his family. Just as releasing the tape to a scum magazine has led to nothing but pain, continuing the condemnation is equally unproductive. At this point, it's overkill.
The best resolution to this whole affair is for Dog to become an ambassador for racial sensitivity, drawing on his experiences to educate others while being allowed to return to his crime-fighting career.
America needs to express understanding and forgiveness on Dog's behalf. A&E needs to take the noble stand and defend a good man who has become the channel's biggest star. Should he receive a public pardon, Dog must honor that blessing by never again uttering the n-word.
He's learned his lesson, and the point has been made that it is inappropriate for Dog - or anyone else - to use that term anytime, anywhere.
Dog says he has forgiven his son for betrayal. We now should forgive Dog for the way he betrayed us.
- Joshua Sharp is a junior majoring in communication. His column, "Fresh Perspective," runs Tuesdays.
