Dear Source:
Elected officials, particularly those representing citizens in The United States and its territories, ought to be held accountable for their public dialog.
According to The Washington Post, V.I. Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen called radio personality Doug Tracht a "white supremacist". That is a filthy, slanderous lie. Smearing him with the "racist" label is likewise an ugly, un-truth, but Sen. Hansen's "white supremacist" is a baseless falsehood that further bruises a man who has spent the year trying to find his way after a terrible mistake.
I have known Doug Tracht for nearly 20 years. For over nine of those years, I produced "The Greaseman Show". Doug Tracht and I have been together in business, social and recreational situations of every kind. I have never known him to act anything but courteous and respectful of everyone he came in contact with. Aside from being the most talented broadcaster I've ever known, he's a great friend and kind and loving human being.
The people of the Virgin Islands should not be told lies about this man. They should have had the chance to make up their OWN minds about his radio program. The TRUTH is that is was an entertainment program! It's true, the comments Doug made around Martin Luther King Day in 1986, and last year's reference to Lauryn Hill were unfeeling, ill-timed and hurtful. They were not typical of the show, nor were they done intentionally. They WERE NOT the product of a "white supremacist".
Doug has spent the past year soul-searching and reacing out to African-American community. He has met with the Byrd family, spoken with ministers, etc.. He was truly sorry for what he did and now wants to move on with his life and career.
To hold a man accountable for his actions is expected, to deny a man his livelihood is evil. The truth is, Doug was well-known in the community. He was a volunteer sheriff, translating Spanish for Hispanics in court; he raised money and attention for the funding of The National Police Officer's Memorial here in Washington; Doug Tracht had friends and fans of EVERY race.
Doug Tracht would have been a positive person to have in The Virgin Islands community. The man who wanted to hire Doug for "The Mongoose" had every right to do that. To hold his decision hostage with threats of boycotts or worse is blackmail.
Radio listeners vote with their fingers, they can change the station or shut it off. Sen. Hansen should consider all the facts next time before she soils a man's reputation with a slanderous falsehood. She has done more than hurt Mr. Tracht's reputation, she has fouled her own.
Bill Scanlan
Washington, D.C.
