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I feel they run a vigorous background check...many non whites fail if they have a record?
Read through everything then draw your own conclusions.
Bottom line is the same Blacks and other protected minorities have used ever since various civil rights laws were passed; because they represent "X" amount of a population that number should be proportionate to the population of this or that service, housing, etc....
When you start from the premise that AAs make up "X" amount of the NYC population but only "X" amount of FDNY certain persons start to ask "why". Then the process of tail wagging the dog begins.
Not only does New York City Fire Department deserve every penny that they get ,,,,,also California fire departments deserve everything that they get .As in any Job that may require the sacrifice of one's life in the line of DUTY.
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....exist.
So a conflict here:
Somebody said "Not racist because qualification is by testing and physical examination.
Another said "Not racism but nepotism.
(Are there determining traits that can tell family affiliation during a physical exam without DNA testing. Of course, one can certainly tell skin color.)
Occam's Razor says the simple answer is usually the correct one: Racism. (When you hear hoofbeats, don't look for zebras.)
In 2016, as much as you all would love to believe the FDNY is full of racism, if a black firefighter comes in and is about working hard and becoming part of the firehouse he would be accepted and welcomed. However alot of the time they get hired on, they care more about filing lawsuits for discrimination than actually doing the job. I know from personal experience that white people were turned away from participating in prep classes for the fire exam in Jamaica Queens, so tell me who are the racists in the city these days?
I've been in and around this city for 13 years and though I don't know any firefighters personally, it has always struck me that the department is a bastion of old-school white dudes. I'm just curious as to how/why this is the case. Every engine I've ever seen is full of white guys, most looking pure-bred Irish. The other day, I actually saw a black engineer at the wheel and I thought to myself, "Oh my god, that firefighter is not white and they are letting him drive the truck!"
At a time when NYC demographics have never been more diverse, and less white, the FDNY seems like an anomaly. I can't think of another city agency that is so monochromatic.
Is there something in the selection process that deters applicants of color?
For whatever it's worth they also seem incredibly happy--polite, making jokes, being uncharacteristically courteous and holding open the door at Starbucks for old ladies in a me-me-me city. They are probably not like this when running into burning buildings, but, hey, maybe they are!
Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!
You didn't look very far. Ever seen the corrections dept.? 86% minority. According to Kefir King and his razor that means racism.
Dept. Consumer affairs? 66% minority.
Dept. of health and mental hygiene? 75% minority
And others.
Dept. Parks - 70% minority
Dept. Probation - Nearly 90% minority.
You didn't look very far. Ever seen the corrections dept.? 86% minority. According to Kefir King and his razor that means racism.
Dept. Consumer affairs? 66% minority.
Dept. of health and mental hygiene? 75% minority
And others.
Dept. Parks - 70% minority
Dept. Probation - Nearly 90% minority.
All official NYC figures
You see the same thing in other parts of the country and or in some areas of the federal civil service, the USPS comes to mind; over representation by minorities in particular blacks. This has proved to be a double edged sword.
Long shut out of good civil service jobs many Blacks and other minorities jumped at the chance when things opened up. This has lead to one, two or more generations getting work in civil service. OTOH whites either moved themselves or their children into the private sector for various reasons. While civil service jobs are steady they don't always pay very well but do offer a pension.
Fast forward to modern times and when many state and local governments began slashing civil service payrolls it is the minorities that are feeling the pinch. Again just look at the USPS and who is fighting against various modernization and or cost cutting measures.
Large portions of the NYC civil service jobs do not pay very well which easily translates into why not only whites but anyone else who can do better elsewhere, does. Things that do pay well such as FDNY, NYPD, DSNY, School Construction, trades, etc... are highly wanted but selective.
What is equally telling is that for the professions such as law; CUNY graduates end up often working for the City, but those from top law schools usually find employment elsewhere. When they do end up in say a DA's office it is part of a plan with long term career goals in mind.
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