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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
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Capt, it takes a bigger man to apologize and admit you were wrong. Your included Capt.
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Yes Sir. BE Safe-ISH BRO!
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Permalink Reply by Smoke Eater on
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Thanks Chief. Been under alot of stress lately so my trigger is a little more touchy than usual. Healing some very minor facial burns from a house fire. Got me doing some thinking.
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Permalink Reply by peter w sherrill on
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I said a Fire Chief and Commish
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I think it is important that we are having dialogue. Their are some really serious feelings about this as I already knew. Still waiting to hear from the black firefighters! I spoke to a Pfficer yesterday while we were doing Feed The Children for the Church and he gave me some serious history about Mt. Vernon. I really wonder what alll you guys would have to say about those disparities. He shared about when the Vulcan Society sued the City and won. One funny yet not so funny scenario was the 20/20 eyesight, yet there was a white guy working there with one F!@@#kn eye! Now that's some funny shit ain't it! I guess one good white eye is better than two black eyes? HMMMM!
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Actaully I am not being stereotypical just general. And yes I am trying to promote the book, only because I feel it is a great story of achievement for a young man who always wanted nothing more than to be a fireman and when he told his family when he was about six or seven years old that he knew what he wanted to be and because of the history of the Fire department, they replied, ain't no coloreds in the Mt. Vernon Fire Dept, and he cried his self to sleep in his aunt's arms not understanding why he couldn't ever be. However, because of organizations like the Vulcan Society, that has changed, and will continue to change with organizations like EDI in Atlanta (Executive Development Institute) Question, do any of you guys that have been posting on this discussion have or have ever had a black superior officer?
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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dude I live in a small town in texas. There arnt any that even live there
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Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Alan Shaw on
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I only posted a little in this thread but I have been following it. All in all one of the best discussions we have had here, although I think it was every bit as manufactured as a "last to post" thread. The members here took a thread with (as it turned out) very little substance and made it into something far more.
Captain703, I didn't think your post was bad, You spoke your mind, no more or less than we all should feel comfortable doing in a room full of BROTHERS. You mentioned personal experiences, which is what the book is about.
Michael Harrison, if you are going to say that "You are a complete idiot" in a thread like this, you really need to be more specific. There are allot of us here and it could have been any of us.
I must say that I didn't like the warning from the FFN Web Chief, warning all of us against the transgressions of a few. I have seen this many times on websites, and sadly in the firehouse. If there is a problem with an individual or two, deal with them. Blanket warnings only serve to alienate those who didn't break the rules.
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Permalink Reply by Michael C. Harrison on
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WOW.....I specifically think the original poster in this thread is a complete idiot.....hence the reason I posted that comment to him.....Hope that was specific enough
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Question, do any of you guys that have been posting on this discussion have or have ever had a black superior officer?
On the fire dept, no. Had plenty when I was in the service.
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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.And since the fire service is made up of many different individuals (as are most other work groups) I would say that most things that affect America , would be reflected in Americas fire service Now only if they can find the courage to face their discriminatory practices.I sincerely hope that this was a typo, and that you aren't generalizing ALL fire depts. together 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.it disturbs me greatly that someone with your mindset and apparent agenda ,would be allowed to be in such a powerful position......then again....you did say FORMER, so hopefully a more well adjusted individual took the reins from you Hopefully, Poor Man's Lotto will open not only your eyes but also your minds.unfortunately you have deterred me from reading this book thru your endorsement and by the posts you have made here Personally, I would be scared to go into a hazardous environment knowing how some of you really feel about Blacks!and personally....I would still have no problem pulling you out of a burning building, even knowing how you feel about the fire depts in America, and specificaly how you feel about whites in the fire service.
And no matter how you feel about "us".....your welcome from the bottom of my heart
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