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Rev. Al to Dog Chapman -- March With Me!

Posted Nov 1st 2007 12:40AM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has obtained a letter that Reverend Al Sharpton has sent to Duane "Dog" Chapman, after Dog contacted him yesterday. Here's the full text:

Dear Mr. Chapman:

I received your call while on the road promoting a March I am leading on the United States Justice Department on November 16th in Washington, DC, against hate crimes and racial attacks around the country. The revelation of your conversation came at a time that is most frightening to a lot of people because we are in a state of crisis with the proliferation of racial attacks, hate crimes, and bias incidents in the United States and abroad. In fact, Abraham H. Foxman, the Executive Director of the Anti-Defamation League and I released an unprecedented joint statement today because of this climate. Even more concerning to me though is that the Justice Department and the federal government have failed to intervene in cases all over the country of racial bigotry and hate which is the reason we are having our march on Nov. 16th in front of the Justice Department.

As a minister I would be inclined to meet with you despite the racist and grotesque things I heard you say, but I am not willing to rearrange my schedule around the country building up for this march to do so. If you wish to meet with me somewhere on the road that is fine, but be assured that I will not sanitize the kind of hate language that leads to the hate action that has left so many people vulnerable in America today. The company that airs the show has the right to take steps by any means when there is a public display of a character of bigotry. We did not call on your company's action but we will not call against your company's action, because what was said in private is now public, and they have a right to deal with their public perception.

If you are sincere that this does not reflect you, you should not only meet with us, but you should march with us on November 16th and call on the government of the United States to protect people, that unlike you don't have publicist, don't have lawyers, and don't have any protection. They used to have the protection of the United States government.

In Progress,
Reverend Al Sharpton
President of National Action Network

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211. Dog I geuss if I was getting paid the kind of money you do I would go kiss Fat AL Sharptons butt too then laugh my butt off all the way to the bank! Make a donation and all will be forgotton and forgivin, the american way!

Posted at 7:22PM on Nov 6th 2007 by realman

212. Dog, Beth and your whole whole family,
Hasn't been easy for all of you. What an inspiation you are to so many. You choose to change your lives. You have touched so many people. Your example that god can change a heart. So what you messed up. Who hasn't. Life is hard. You all have changed. Who can say they turned there lif around. Not many. We for one are so in awe of each and everyone of you. Your son is young. I know you have already forgiven him. When your down and out no one knows or can judge what one would do. His girlfriend of course will protect him. I would do the same for the one i loved. Stop being so hard on your self. You have given so much from your heart. Every trial has a begging, middle and an end. This will pass and beside you will be your son and his girlfriend. Your family is strong. God has his hand on ALL of you. Your family hasn't come this far by a mistake. Hey Jesus hung aroung people like you. Hopefully like me too. Rejoice for trials. Especially when god is on your side. Because of the outcome from all this in the end. He will threw your family change people lives. And very deep. Your love from your family . that is what people will never forget. You all radiant love. Don't take that lightly what god has done to your hearts. I always say. Go where the love is. Because god is pure love. Your an example. Don't ever change. Well maybe the language. ha ha. Your pure and simple love. Your not a fake. God didn't make any trash. You have a presious heart. That came to you as a gift from above. You can't please every body. Be true to your self. Just love. I hate to see you so broken up. Who hasn't made mistakes. Remember your a child of God. Stop beating yourself up. If there is me who feels this way. There are many more. Your loved. Please don't go away. God made a miricle with you. Don't let you know who-satan take that away that god has done. We know you love your son. This all will pass. Be strong, keep your heart and your never fall. Everyone won't forgive. So what. It's god's problem now. You have asked for forgivness. Let it go. Don't let this distroy you. The one's you have touch don't deserve to loose you. Stand strong with your love for even one. Your love of god is like a magnet. God has done so much to change your heart. Don't take it from us for one mistake. Go where the love is. It is that simple. Not just you but all of you. Your all going to be one of god's mirical family's. In this day of war, Your family will end up a shinning light for us to hold onto. I believe your son will be a big part of your healing miricle. Your all in this together. We love you all. Even more now. We believe in you. Lead the way. The key is with just pure love as you have done. God will do the rest. I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. We are watching you. Your an example as Steve Erwing is still today. At least we still have you. Love you just the way you are. Don't ever change. God can mold you. I think that's why we love you and your family so much. We are just all human. Love to you all.
Lynne

Posted at 12:30AM on Nov 7th 2007 by lynne tracy

213. Why is it that black people can use words like "cracker, honky, or whitey" and no one cares? A racist name is hurtful and harmful no matter who is giving or who is receiving. If the n-word is so hurtful than why do black people use it on each other? Lets try to erase the word from our launage together.

Posted at 12:36PM on Nov 8th 2007 by bingo:p

214. I'm not sure where Revs. Sharpton & Jackson are when other races or religions are attacked. I don't see them coming to anyone else's rescue. Should Billy Graham start interfering when a white person is called cracker or white trash? I only see one group making a stink over name calling. Nobody is exempt from racism, and if they say they are, they're a liar. Perhaps the next time Dave Chapelle (funny as hell) or Eddie Murphy (love the guy) or anyone else step over the line with their comments, Revs. Sharpton & Jackson should make them go around the country apologizing for their language. I would have thought religious leaders would be concerned with all peoples of all races, religions, etc. Don't be so naive - the whites aren't the only ones doing the racist name calling.

Posted at 8:05AM on Nov 12th 2007 by Adamant

215. It was a private conversation! Can you imagine what you would hear people say in a private conversation? I'm sure there are alot worse things said everyday but not everybody gets to hear them. I'm sure Sharpton has said a few choice words before. No one is perfect.

Posted at 11:42PM on Nov 14th 2007 by maria

216. I'm so sick of hearing about what the whites say, how about what blacks say. Do you hear white singers saying the N word in their songs? NO! Do you hear it in the rappers songs YES along with bit** and ho and N word and everything else under the sun. Why don't they get in trouble and have to apologize Sharpton. Sounds like a one way street to me. So quit your whining and start practicing what you preach!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 11:53PM on Nov 14th 2007 by maria

217. I totally agree with Carol it was a private conversation that should of stayed that way. Duane Chapman's son is just a spoiled little brat who wasn't getting his way so he turned on his father. Shame on him. Case closed No one should have to apologize again and again or go on some march with Al Sharpton. I've heard some african americans saying worse than the N word. I do not agree that it should be used by anyone ever. The hate has to stop somewhere.

Posted at 1:51PM on Nov 16th 2007 by KATHY

218. #30 You're making an assumpation that Carol is white! How do you know she is? You, like a lot of others, either didn't hear the part where this"perfectly innocent little angel", threaten to bodily harm on his family; or more likely that you just don't care!!!! He said the N word--so find a big tall tree and a short piece of rope. You are just as bigoted as the next person after your comment to a perfect stranger. There are a lot of black people who are in support of Dog. You do not speak for all black people. Not all white people support him either. I did hear the part about her threats on his family, and I too would defend my family. That is why he fired his son. He knew she would be coming around the business. It's his business, he started it and therefore has every right to say who should or shouldn't be allowed there. Irregardless, it was a private issue and should have remained that way.

Posted at 10:15PM on Dec 1st 2007 by funny????

219. Dog enough is enough you are more a man than all those hippocrates.
you have apologized on Larry King Live and the Hannity show. Walk proud and tall all these people are blowing things way out of porportion. Time heals and all you need to do is take care of yourself and concentrate on your family and beautiful wife. In the end these are the people who really care about you and of course your fans. I miss and love your show but I can wait till it comes back. Within time things and people will get over it. God has forgiven you and that is what counts. I wish I could talk to you on the phone because you have thousands of fans in TEXAS. Hang in there and stop apologizing. Look at that Monique (in my book she is a snake) look she is on the tabloids selling liquor to minors or purchasing it. Let her apologize to the kids family and put her on National Enquirer she will get what is coming to her in the end they will pay for what they have done to you.

Posted at 11:18PM on Nov 26th 2007 by YAS

220. Rev. Sharpton Sir,
I sent you an envelope concerning my son Kalvin Michael Smith. He was wrongfully convicted and the Duke Innocence Law group has been trying to get, the DA here in Winston-Salem, NC to drop his charges to no avail. If you would please call me at 336-293-7853 any time after 6 in the evening. We need help and hopefully you would publize this issue. My son case is on the internet @kalvin Michael Smith Silk Plant Shop. All evidence show the
DA had the right man , a white man and let him leave the state. There were wittinesses
that identified this man and the detective withheld evidence. My son is in the worst prison camp in the state Caldonia in Tillery, NC. The DA will not do anything unless this issue is brought to public attention, I feel. I begging you to please give the case a few moment of you reading time. A desperate mother. Ms. Shelia Legrand ,1153 E. 15th St. Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

Posted at 2:20PM on Dec 2nd 2007 by Sheila Yvonne Legrande

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