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Oh, he darned well knew what he was doing. The pink ribbon was a big clue, almost taking the mocking to a new level. The usual thing to bring is donuts as one of the firemen said. What normal person thinks to bring in a whole freaking watermelon with a pink ribbon, in a firehouse that is 90% black?
It's like those morons who created images of Obama with watermelons, or any other moron that does things like blackface, and then has the nerve to claim they didn't know it was offensive.
And of course the predictable knee jerk reactions about how this is PC run amok, yada yada yada.
Anyone that fails or willingly fails to see how offensive this incident was, should know better.
well, it looks like this was his first day at work. Do you know for sure that he knew the group is 90% black?
Fire rescue is all about working together. It is stupid to offend the people who watch his back, I will buy that. That is why I don't believe this guy's intent was to offend others.
sheesh How can people even survive always assuming the worst in people?
I can't say I'm shocked that some of you feel he should have been fired.
Believe it or not, most people rush in and out of a store trying to buy something when they're tasked with getting something to share with a group. I can honestly say I know dozens of very bright people who might have seen a watermelon, and thinking it was a healthier, more refreshing option than baked goods, would pick it up without any further thought. Why? Because they see black people as people and not some stereotype eating fried chicken and watermelon and the 'offensive' factor never enters their mind.
It would have cost nothing for these guys to say, 'Hey, man, was this supposed to play on the stereotypes of black people? What did you mean bringing this in here?' And heard him out. But nope - we have to go from A to Z with no stops in between.
If loons on the left want to create a world where we're avoiding black people at all costs to avoid feeling like we're walking on eggshells for fear a hat, a phrase, a piece of fruit, a centerpiece, a shoelace, etc. will turn into some egregious offense, then keep pushing this nonsense.
In this instance a small group assumed what he did was intentional. Instead of taking the opportunity to make relations better by saying maybe "Hey dude that is not cool and this is why...," They got him fired even though a bigger group wanted him to stay.
How did any of this make anything better in the race relations department? Even the station chief said he should not have been fired.
For all you guys know his wife could have picked up the watermelon as a "healthy" alternative and put that ribbon on it.
Certainly sounds like something a wife would do.
Why watermelon ? Do you know anyone that doesn't like watermelon ?
For all you guys know his wife could have picked up the watermelon as a "healthy" alternative and put that ribbon on it.
Certainly sounds like something a wife would do.
Why watermelon ? Do you know anyone that doesn't like watermelon ?
Very good point.
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Fire rescue is all about working together. It is stupid to offend the people who watch his back, I will buy that. That is why I don't believe this guy's intent was to offend others.
