The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Poor Man's Lotto: Memoirs of a Black firefighter in America
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!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
You passed the mental evaluation! I guess you would if the person who was doing the evaluation was white. Definitely wouldn't of passed if I was doing the evaluation.
I don't know if you know this, but a psych test is not part of every department out there. Many volunteer departments even elect their officers. Many career depts may have a psych test to get into the job, but not for promotions. As far as psych tests go, they are no where near this great tool many think they are. If psych tests were so great and so fortelling, perhaps we wouldn't be reading about an Army psychologist who decided to shoot and kill several of his fellow soldiers at Ft Hood.
The other issue here is you keep making this a black vs white thing and attacking the poster rather than addressing the concerns. This is some stuff this person states he witnessed, is it really about attacking the person and make prejudicial remarks vs learning from a different perspective and perhaps addressing such concerns. Would the NAACP really shut them down? Is there a percentage of minorities that must be hired? After all, isn't that why you are plugging this book and your own? Learning goes both ways Peter, instead of taking things as something personal, how about educating vs attacking?
It is individuals with your mind set that validates what I said about going into hazradous situations with you guys. That is some scary shit! Iwould have to depend on you. Hell F!@###Kin no! no way on God's earth!
I read your profile and see nothing that shows me you ever lived the life of a firefighter, nor even served in the military, or anywhere else where you had to put your trust and your life into someone else's hands. I am not saying racism does not go on because I still see such issues, I saw such stuff in the military as well, and reality is, whites are not the only folks who can be racist, that too goes both ways. But see, the issue isn't about if you would go into a hazardous situation with someone, clearly you wouldn't if you find it so easy to pass judgements, the issue is that you are passing judgements based on comments. Would I want you to go in with me too? Right now, no, because I see you as someone taking everything personal and that instead of learning , understanding, and addressing issues you rather make attacking comments. How would you be on the fireground, if I told you to get out of the structure because the floor feels squishy, are you going to trust that judgement or are you going to ignore it and go in anyway, perhaps becoming a casualty?
As Lutan also mentions, and I agree with him, you have gone on an aggressive attack here and that does contribute to loss of support and respect. You want respect, trying also being respectful instead of making the dispariging remarks you have been.
-
Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
-
Wow I opened up a can of worms with my first comment!!! I have read every post and I havnt accually gotten any feed back on the book.
Ernest,
If you are wanting to PROMOTE your book here, thats great. But the thing that I have seen here is more the common mentality with some young blacks using a race card as a free pass. If this were peters book I probably wouldnt buy it because I feel as if it would be portrayed as a "poor pitiful me im black" type of reading experiance. but im still interested and probably will purchase the book and see what knowledge I can gain from it.
Thanks
Loyd Ernest Dittfurth
p.s. some times it can be just as hard to get to your dreams when you have nothing to build on
-
Permalink Reply by Ernest Richardson on
-
John,
Pete does not speak for me or my book. Hes not even a firefighter, hes just the publisher of the book. Pete is his own person, just like me and everyone else on this website. I'm not a racist and never will be, but I do understand there are people out there that love to stir the pot. to be honest I was shocked this morning when I logged on to read some of what was written. I'm a working man so if my book sells one copy I'm ok with that. I just dont want people to talk about the book in a negative way or use the book as a way to start the BS. Remember..... Pete is is own man and he doesnt speak for me or my book.....
-
Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
-
Peter, are you a bigot? A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own or intolerant of people of different ethnicity, race, or class, because it seems openly apparent here that you're intolerant of "us white people"....
Racism can and does goes both ways, and your responses thus far offend me. You've attacked, you've ridiculed, you've criticised.
You've made your point, mulitple times.
You've probably done more harm to the author's reputation and book than good with your attacks and comments.
-
-
Ernest, find another way to promote your book. Peter has done nothing but harm and if anything has probably turned people off from reading your book. And please, read the replies to this post carefully- no one has passed judgement on your book, they've responded to Peter's insulting posts and opinions which have done nothing but piss people off instead of engaging them.
And whether you like it or not ,Peter does speak for your book and yourself...
-
Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on
-
Folks
This thread will close if the profanity and other stuff don't cease. If you can't post without profanity or personal attacks don't post -- or we'll disable your account.
Also, if the originator has any connection to the book, we'll remind you that this forum is NOT for self promotion and profit, promoting a for-profit venture in such a way is not permitted in the forums.
Thanks
-
Permalink Reply by Firefighter Walther on
-
sits in the bus and rides quietly
-
Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on
-
Ummmmmm Mt. Vernon NY is the only city to have a black Fire Chief? Uhhhhh Los Angeles City Fire Department?
-
Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
-
Yes I really am a Captain. Am I a racist? No. Like I said, I have black friends and I have worked well side by side with blacks. I am just tired of hearing how bad they have it now. They are still treated as a minority when in fact they have life alot easier than white men. Blacks were given freedom, as they should have, a long time ago and they still want more. We all want more out of life but when does the crying stop? I think everyone should be treated as equals but like I said, blacks are the only ones out there that I have heard of that still want more. Mexicans, chinese, or anyone else just takes what life gives them and are thankful for what they have. If anyone should be upset it should be the native Americans for what happened to them but that's all history now. And trust me, with your attitude you wouldn't have to worry about going in with me. This is the biggest respect killer for you. I have no problem with the book. Heck if I found it I would probably buy it. I do like to read about historical struggles. I'm not saying there isn't racism out there. I know there is but the black just keep brining it up which causes more racial tension because everyone is tired of hearing about it. And by the way, I was elected by my fellow firefighters. And I could pass a psych exam. I know I'm not racist just tired of hearing the crying all the time.
-
-
He's not even a firefighter??? And he wants to get on here and attack those who replied to him??? Pete, go find another site to start crap on!!! We don't need it here!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
-
it seems to me that you have presented this same issue but from the "other" side...maybe it is me who should say that I would never go inside with you......(notice I didn't say "we" or "us" I said me...I went through hell with a lot of men...white, yellow, red and yes evn black in a sunny wet miserable little area called Vietnam....I don't want to hear any BS about "the way I feel"....I will admit I DO feel it is wrong to hire someone over another more qualified person just because "Oh crap, we only have 1 Mexican, or damn we are short 2 women...or...UH-oh there are 3 blacks applying better hire 2..." I will ask you who would you rather go inside with...?? a better qualified person or someone hired to satify statistics...?....I am fed up and sick of this "You hate me because I am (inset minority here) crap" I have said at least once to a Latino guy I know....No, Jose, I don't hate you because you are Latino....I dislike you because you are an asshole." That went over like the proverbial fart in church...I got called on the carpet and reported EXACTLY what I said to him and he acknowledged that is what was said....case dismissed...I will NOT be told who I have to like...that is too much...Paul
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
In my town the PD frequently responds to calls for a "suspicious person". Inevitably that person is either black or hispanic. I'm pretty sure that these people are not going about acting in a "suspicious" way but rather the color of their skin is what makes them look "suspicious". So I'm pretty sure that qualifies as racism.
"Blacks were given freedom, as they should have, a long time ago and they still want more."
Yea, them blacks, always wanting more civil rights, equality and protection under the law. After all, it's been about 45 years since blacks were lynched, not allowed to own property, couldn't drink out of the same fountains as white folk, couldn't even look at a white women, went to blacks only schools. Jim Crow laws are a long time gone now, eh? At least they're no longer considered property, right?
"They are still treated as a minority when in fact they have life alot easier than white men." Yea I'm probably gonna ask to see the citations on this one.
"Mexicans, chinese, or anyone else just takes what life gives them and are thankful for what they have."
At least those mexicans and chinese know their place, not complaining, not wanting more than we are willing to give them. I mean, we let them do our lawns and laundry, they seem happy with that.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
