For those of you who believe there is no racism or discrimination in America's Fire departments, think again. Poor Man's Lotto: Memoirs of a Black Firefighter in America brings to light the racial predjudices that are still part of this courageous group of men. Now only if they can find the courage to face their discriminatory practices. As Former Director of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, it disturbs me greatly and deeply that this continues to be a norm in this agency. Hopefully, Poor Man's Lotto will open not only your eyes but also your minds. Personally, I would be scared to go into a hazardous environment knowing how some of you really feel about Blacks!

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but you punctuate so well lol ;o)
I agree Kali, I've seen this happen to a department not too long ago! It also lessons the trust factor in those individuals from the others. One has to wonder what does this individual or [individuals] really know? Are they really ready for this kind of work, and can we count on them to be sufficient?

Lowering the bar increases the risk in my opinion. Test, and if you don't pass, keep studying till you do!
There it is I was waiting on a woman to bring that up.
I know Kali it just hadnt been brought up through out this entire disscussion.
It doesnt offend me at all It is a real issue.
Dont be your bringing up an important point. I agree with you on the fact that women should be treated equal in the fire service, if they can do the job.
KGOD:
It's been two years on this case. Do we have any recent developments?
Or did it die on August 12, 2007?
I wish that there was no "reverse" discrimination designation.
Discrimination is discrimination. It doesn' matter if it's because of skin color or because you wet the bed.
When a promotion process, whether it's in the grade school or job market, is designed to give someone or some group an advantage, the test is flawed and is discriminatory by its very nature.
You level the playing field by giving everyone the same materials to study and pre-test on. You don't give one group the answers to the test and screw the rest.
Rest assured; if I worked my ass off to get a promotion, had established my rank at the top and was denied the position because I didn't hit the right demographic, can you say LAWSUIT?
Ricky ticky tavi.
Art
Kali,

I'm sorry but one of the firefighters your talking about did get promoted. We all have the right to feed our families and make more money. Its less fortunate for the firefighter that didnt get promoted. I work here and i know first hand whats really going on. Yes the article was written but they didnt have the facts right. Like I said. Its not what you know its who you know. Its not about ability its about politics here in this city
KGOD:
So, do we have some here who believe that they are owed reparations, whether that be a cash deal or through a promotional exam that was skewed?
Do they expect people who had nothing to do with past prejudices, bigotry, racism and worse, slavery to accept the idea that they now get to go to the front of the line?
I'm confused.
Exactly what is it that any of us have done or not done to become the recipients of unfair practices or accusations of prejudice?
I'm at a loss.
Art
What if Peter and Ernest were the same person?

--Conspiracy Dust
Trust me its true. You have to understand something. What happened to those two white firefighters has been happening for years. Firefighters on a LT list try to leap in front of whos ever in front of them. Its a dog eat dog world. Firefighters have been skipping each other for promotions for years. Firefighters have been stopping other firefighters from getting promoted for years. As soon as black firefighters do it, it becomes racism. Either way its not right but but it happens. The other firefighter is a officer right now, so the article is wrong. If i was him I would sue too. your taking food out of his families mouth. With promotions come more money.
All the black firemen should be respected due to their great effort on safety.

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