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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 peter w sherrill on
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Very interesting! Yeah no one wants to get caught with their pants down. So they can say, we are not racist, we have one! maybe two, hell but I ain't taking no orders from that Ni##@a. and damn sure not taking none from no women. If you do get the book, you should read the EDI chapter. If everything was fine, then why is there a need to have their own executive development training. Firefighters from all over the country meet there, without you guys! Why! Because the playing field is not level! Will never be level. Oh maybe now because Barack is in the Whotehouse, but I won't even get into that! Trust me he ain't doing shit for us!
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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you guys have had all the benefits and opportunities for generations because of racism and discrimination, so the playing field has never been level.
"You guys"....??? Way to bring up a topic about racism, then instead of understanding points, take an "us vs them" approach. nice.
So what are all these benefits and opportunities I recieved because of racism and discrimination, oh please tell me. Is it that I graduated high school knowing that I wanted to be a firefighter and learned what I needed to do. Is it that I have a degree to help me become a firefighter? Is it I was able to afford college to obtain that degree? No.
I learned from young on I wanted this job and I knew my decisions I made then affected me today. I was not a kid who received an academic scholarship, I didn't play sports well enough to obtain a sports scholarship, my parents never put money aside for college, I grew up with parents living paycheck to paycheck. I joined the Navy, I worked on college courses, I got out and used my GI Bill to obtain my degree and my certs and my paramedic. I tested all over, NYC, VA, IL, WI and so on, big cities, small cities, career, combination and finally got hired on. What did I do so different, so beneficial because of racism and discrimination that a minority could not do? Where did I benefit so much? I put myself through schooling, I obtained the certifications, I tested all over, I did nothing more than anyone else couldn't do.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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I am not a racist. Well, ok, I am, a little. Or a little less. I am a recovering racist. I was brought up that way, not that blacks were second rate humans, or less intelligent but that they were 'different'. I was brought up by a first generation italian american who experienced "racism" that was directed towards him ('no dogs or italians allowed' signs). He grew up in a family that struggled for anything and everything and I think later directed his anger/resentment towards the next group, in his case, blacks. He was part of the Greatest Generation. Along with that appellation came a lot of prejudices.
Growing up I would hear derogatory comments about black athletes, musicians, actors, etc., not just in the home but at school and in the neighborhood (a very rural farm town). At age 18 I talked to my first black person, in boot camp. To my surprise, he wasn't evil, stupid, lazy, a thief or a rapist. He was nice guy. Over the years I've meet people of all color, race and religion and I think the asshole to nice guy ratio is about constant across the board.
My point? We're all racists to one degree or another. The key is in becoming aware of it, acknowledging it and working to eliminate it. If you understand where it comes from it's easier to remove it. Funny thing though, being a racist it's easier to get over the racism part. Being the target of racism, probably not so much.
Yet in no way can I ever understand what my father went through or how he felt, no more than I can how any black person today feels. I do understand that, by dint of having been born white I acquired an inherent advantage. I only had to prove I could do the job to get it. A black man not only has to prove he can do the job, but he has to do it well enough to make the white people "forget" that he is black. If you don't think that is true then you really have no idea what racism truly is. It's still out there, living in the minds of people who grew up thinking that blacks were in some way inferior to whites. And it manifests itself in comments like "I'm not a racist" and "I have black friends".
I live in town that is 98% white, work in a dept. that is 99.855% white (we have a filipino women in admin.) I still occasionally hear racist comments straight out of the 1950's, though less often now that people know I will call them on it. I suspect that they are still made, just not within earshot of me.
So no, I have no idea what the black man in the book went through to become a firefighter. If I ran across the book in a book store I would buy it now, mostly because of this discussion. But even still it would be all academic to me, a narrative that I would have a hard time relating to. But it's for that reason that I should read it, and maybe along with Lasky and Brunacini it should be required reading. But this is all only my opinion.
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Only a white person could rationalize the noose!
Really? So every white person ever hanged was because of a crime? Instead of reading the issue, you just jumped to conclusions about the fact that a noose is not a racial symbol unless made out to be one.
Don't know if Iwould want to work with you buddy!
Fine, don't, you aren't breaking my heart. You are the one jumping to conclusions about a discussion. Instead of discussing the issue you just made it a stereotype issue here.
And who says the standards for testing that have been set are gospel.
There is that "you guys" thing again. Are you referring to the standards for the dept I happen to be on? or generalizing further than that? If regarding my dept, the one who says the standards are gospel is the chief of the department. These standards are nothing more than what anyone could obtain, it would take time and dedication, but they can be obtained. Why should the standards be lowered?
Actually, when you think about it, it is because of the training you guys didn't have but responding according to how you always respond is why so many guys died in 911
There is that "You guys" again. Hey...newsflash, better go check out the number of firefighters who did die on 9/11....quite a few were black.
Talk about communication, you guys still don't communicate and I know. I have been to all the trainings for WMD!
You guys??? again...geesh. We don't communicate...you get this from WMD trainings?? Wow, have you been to all the trainings everywhere? because I don't recall seeing you with our dept where you can make such claims about our communication, or lack there of.
As a matter of fact, you need to revamp your entire SOP
Oh really, you know our SOP? How so? Again haven't seen you around here at all.
It amazes me how someone bringing forth issues of racism and so forth still has no problem being stereotypical and prejudiced with responses.
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Do you now about EDI? Executive Development Institute. If all was fair there wouldn't be a need for this seperate training! Your points are valid however, as I stated, I been through that racism/discrimination corporate america. Different animal. If you ever get a chance read my book Black to the Future fmrom the Plantation to the Corporation! Actually, it validates some of your points. I will say this, at the end of the day, Firefighters are great! Don't tell the police I said that, i will deny it! Just Kidding! Director of Emergency Services was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had next to becoming an Author and a Publisher. I loved working with you guys and police too, that was more surprising to me than anything. And I am still pissed off that they are treating the First Responders who risked their lives at ground Zero and are sufferring from that illness contracted from 911 like it had nothing to do with them being there. You should check out the other story also One of Thousands a Personal Account of the Days of 911. Beautiful story by a DPW worker who was saved by you guys when building 7 came down. So when all is said and done, you guys save lives every day all day. That has more to do with what's inside of your heart than anything else!!
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I have to get back to you on that, I can't stop laughing. That is funny as hell, I will check out the rest later. You are realy OK knowing is half the battle!!
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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Cant we all just get along!
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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
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Chief Cochran didn't do so bad, in case you didn't notice he's been appointed the US Fire administrator. I say he worked hard to get where he's at. Formally the a Chief of a metropolitan city. Like I stated previous, if you can do the job than so be it!
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Permalink Reply by Loyd Dittfurth on
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I thought I was at first. Then I kinda got the feeling that this was a "Poor Pittifull Me Im Black" disscussion. Then I got mad. Now im confused, lol.
Maybe it will be better in the mornin
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Loyd, drink plenty of fluids, take two aspirin and call me in the morning.
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How bout a coors light 2 Marboro reds and a good 3 hours of sleep
Wait is that to redneck for this disscussion?
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LOL! Cracked me up!!!
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