Detroit Firefighter dismissed for bringing a watermelon on first day...

41 is old as hell to be a rookie. That said, it wasn't smart to fire him. Especially if they wrote that as the reason. Bringing in a Watermelon is insensitive but he could plead ignorance. A better move would have been to spread the word to the other black FFs,fail him on his drills, then fire him for not being good enough. That way he would have a harder time getting hired elsewhere and have the embarrassment of not being good enough. That is what they do to us. By firing him for something so ambiguous,he has a legit lawsuit and another Dept that is more CAC friendly will pick him up.
 
41 is old as hell to be a rookie. That said, it wasn't smart to fire him. Especially if they wrote that as the reason. Bringing in a Watermelon is insensitive but he could plead ignorance. A better move would have been to spread the word to the other black FFs,fail him on his drills, then fire him for not being good enough. That way he would have a harder time getting hired elsewhere and have the embarrassment of not being good enough. That is what they do to us. By firing him for something so ambiguous,he has a legit lawsuit and another Dept that is more CAC friendly will pick him up.
No they had to fire him fuck that
 
as a group its fucked up, but if that was given to

me personally and it was the organic watermelon with

the black seeds...

I wouldve been grateful....

and if the dude was irish I wouldve sent him a case of potatos

if he was italian I wouldve sent him a case of tomatos..etc

it wouldve just been all fun and games personally,

but as a group I probably wouldve felt some kind of way with my fellow brethren..

but I wouldve took the watermelon home tho, thats if it was organic with the black seeds..
 
We seem to be always looking for every white mf to be a card carrying member of the kkk/ab...when most white folks are kool, just simply ignorant and sometimes a watermelon is just a treat..

25519193f461e22f58a644dcd3b04a9174ff80ee.jpg
 
Last edited:
Like I said, they shouldn't have fired him right away and instead failed him on drills. There are bruthas on here rationalizing what he did so CACs are definitely going to push the case. Dude is going to end up making more for this than he would if he brought doughnuts and stayed on the job.

In Sacramento, some CAC Firefighters took the Engine to a Porn Ball,had drinks,got drunk and drove top bars giving women rides on the Engine. They redirected emergency calls while doing it too. 6 of them got fired and all but one got jobs in other Depts.
 
We seem to be always looking for every white mf to be a card carrying member of the kkk/ab...when most white folks are kool, just simply ignorant and sometimes a watermelon is just a treat.

No no no.

That white guy knew what he was doing he was 40 something years old I am not giving him a pass. If They would have let him get away with that he will try other stuff might as well nip that in the bud right now
 
41 is old as hell to be a rookie. That said, it wasn't smart to fire him. Especially if they wrote that as the reason. Bringing in a Watermelon is insensitive but he could plead ignorance. A better move would have been to spread the word to the other black FFs,fail him on his drills, then fire him for not being good enough. That way he would have a harder time getting hired elsewhere and have the embarrassment of not being good enough. That is what they do to us. By firing him for something so ambiguous,he has a legit lawsuit and another Dept that is more CAC friendly will pick him up.

Hell at least he went for his at 41. How many folks u know 60 plus on some shoulda, coulda woulda shit? A lot of bgol dudes are old as dirt still checking out these chicks that could be their Great nieces and Grand Daughters. A lil update a few brehs from his fire fighting class are backing him. He was the only white dude in the class.
 
Hell at least he went for his at 41. How many folks u know 60 plus on some shoulda, coulda woulda shit? A lot of bgol dudes are old as dirt still checking out these chicks that could be their Great nieces and Grand Daughters. A lil update a few brehs from his fire fighting class are backing him. He was the only white dude in the class.

It is hard to make it thru the training at 41. I wasn't trying to insult him because of his age.
 
Didn't think it through, did he..?
I don't know what he was thinking, nor what's in his heart but, I'm not sure this was a blatantly racist or covertly racist act on his part. He might GENUINELY not known the implications of his actions.

Just because he's a 41 year old White man, doesn't necessarily mean he's an expert on what's a culturally acceptable gift to give people of different races or backgrounds.

Folks are assigning a racist title to the man without knowing anything about his background other than what's been presented....:dunno:
 
It is hard to make it thru the training at 41. I wasn't trying to insult him because of his age.


I understand it came off like that
Its hard in general. My cuz is a local firefighter. I take my hat off toward ems, local pd and fire dpts.

Some local cities are far more dangerous than some global cities. I've heard horror stories via friends who work the icu in some of the worst areas in the borough.
 
Didn't think it through, did he..?
I don't know what he was thinking, nor what's in his heart but, I'm not sure this was a blatantly racist or covertly racist act on his part. He might GENUINELY not known the implications of his actions.

Just because he's a 41 year old White man, doesn't necessarily mean he's an expert on what's a culturally acceptable gift to give people of different races or backgrounds.

Folks are assigning a racist title to the man without knowing anything about his background other than what's been presented....:dunno:


Traditionally Firefighters bring Pastries,Cookies, or Doughnuts their first day. I've never seen or heard of a Firefighter bringing Fruit. Much less a Watermelon. He definitely brought a Watermelon to that station because of Black members. he might have meant it as a joke, but its not a coincidence that he did it.
 
Ive worked in firehouses since 2005. Trust me we all know the sterotypes about each other. I find it hard to believe he didn't know. Ff are typically not overly sensitive so there's probably more we don't know about and this was the tipping point. Imho
 
Traditionally Firefighters bring Pastries,Cookies, or Doughnuts their first day. I've never seen or heard of a Firefighter bringing Fruit. Much less a Watermelon. He definitely brought a Watermelon to that station because of Black members. he might have meant it as a joke, but its not a coincidence that he did it.

Which goes to my next point. If he knows an overwhelming portion of the population is Black, and he knew bringing a Watermelon to this function would have a negative racial connotation, wouldn't he think he's about to catch a beating for this actions...?

It's like a Muslim going into a synagogue and screaming "Kike" at all the Jewish folk in attendance.

I'm just saying... :dunno:
 
And in other news...

Black Detroit firefighters defend white recruit fired over watermelon

Detroit-ff-photo_1507682996535_4330277_ver1.0_640_360.jpg


DETROIT (WJBK) - A fired Detroit probationary firefighter is getting a big show of support.

Robert Pattinson was fired after bringing a watermelon to his new post at Engine 55 at Joy and Southfield after some African-American firefighters there were offended.

Pattinson, a 41-year-old from Fenton is white, told FOX 2 by phone that it was not a joke. But Fire Commissioner Eric Jones officially discharged him afterwards.

But Tuesday a social media post by Tadarius Spearman stuck up for Pattinson including a group photo of him with other African-American firefighters.

"Just want to let everyone know he's a real amazing dude and it was all good intentions," he wrote. "And our entire class (is) supporting him in this. Especially us African-Americans and that's all that needs to be said. Stay up brother. #DFD."

Last week Jones released a statement to FOX 2 saying there was zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior inside the Detroit Fire Department.

"On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Engine 55, a trial firefighter (probationary employee) engaged in unsatisfactory work behavior which was deemed offensive and racially insensitive to members of the Detroit Fire Department," Jones wrote. "After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to terminate the employment of this probationary employee."

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/loc...-stand-by-white-recruit-fired-over-watermelon
 
And in other news...

Black Detroit firefighters defend white recruit fired over watermelon

Detroit-ff-photo_1507682996535_4330277_ver1.0_640_360.jpg


DETROIT (WJBK) - A fired Detroit probationary firefighter is getting a big show of support.

Robert Pattinson was fired after bringing a watermelon to his new post at Engine 55 at Joy and Southfield after some African-American firefighters there were offended.

Pattinson, a 41-year-old from Fenton is white, told FOX 2 by phone that it was not a joke. But Fire Commissioner Eric Jones officially discharged him afterwards.

But Tuesday a social media post by Tadarius Spearman stuck up for Pattinson including a group photo of him with other African-American firefighters.

"Just want to let everyone know he's a real amazing dude and it was all good intentions," he wrote. "And our entire class (is) supporting him in this. Especially us African-Americans and that's all that needs to be said. Stay up brother. #DFD."

Last week Jones released a statement to FOX 2 saying there was zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior inside the Detroit Fire Department.

"On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Engine 55, a trial firefighter (probationary employee) engaged in unsatisfactory work behavior which was deemed offensive and racially insensitive to members of the Detroit Fire Department," Jones wrote. "After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to terminate the employment of this probationary employee."

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/loc...-stand-by-white-recruit-fired-over-watermelon

Idiots. If it was in reverse there wouldn't be any white rallies for him.
 
We are too forgiving sometimes

And in other news...

Black Detroit firefighters defend white recruit fired over watermelon

Detroit-ff-photo_1507682996535_4330277_ver1.0_640_360.jpg


DETROIT (WJBK) - A fired Detroit probationary firefighter is getting a big show of support.

Robert Pattinson was fired after bringing a watermelon to his new post at Engine 55 at Joy and Southfield after some African-American firefighters there were offended.

Pattinson, a 41-year-old from Fenton is white, told FOX 2 by phone that it was not a joke. But Fire Commissioner Eric Jones officially discharged him afterwards.

But Tuesday a social media post by Tadarius Spearman stuck up for Pattinson including a group photo of him with other African-American firefighters.

"Just want to let everyone know he's a real amazing dude and it was all good intentions," he wrote. "And our entire class (is) supporting him in this. Especially us African-Americans and that's all that needs to be said. Stay up brother. #DFD."

Last week Jones released a statement to FOX 2 saying there was zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior inside the Detroit Fire Department.

"On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Engine 55, a trial firefighter (probationary employee) engaged in unsatisfactory work behavior which was deemed offensive and racially insensitive to members of the Detroit Fire Department," Jones wrote. "After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to terminate the employment of this probationary employee."

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/loc...-stand-by-white-recruit-fired-over-watermelon
 
He knew what he was doing. If you want to bring fruit you bring a fruit platter.

And in other news...

Black Detroit firefighters defend white recruit fired over watermelon

Detroit-ff-photo_1507682996535_4330277_ver1.0_640_360.jpg


DETROIT (WJBK) - A fired Detroit probationary firefighter is getting a big show of support.

Robert Pattinson was fired after bringing a watermelon to his new post at Engine 55 at Joy and Southfield after some African-American firefighters there were offended.

Pattinson, a 41-year-old from Fenton is white, told FOX 2 by phone that it was not a joke. But Fire Commissioner Eric Jones officially discharged him afterwards.

But Tuesday a social media post by Tadarius Spearman stuck up for Pattinson including a group photo of him with other African-American firefighters.

"Just want to let everyone know he's a real amazing dude and it was all good intentions," he wrote. "And our entire class (is) supporting him in this. Especially us African-Americans and that's all that needs to be said. Stay up brother. #DFD."

Last week Jones released a statement to FOX 2 saying there was zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior inside the Detroit Fire Department.

"On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Engine 55, a trial firefighter (probationary employee) engaged in unsatisfactory work behavior which was deemed offensive and racially insensitive to members of the Detroit Fire Department," Jones wrote. "After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to terminate the employment of this probationary employee."

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/loc...-stand-by-white-recruit-fired-over-watermelon

I AM SO CONFUSED...

So was it one person or the older folks that got offended. He look to be fitting in with that crew pretty strong. If it was a silly thing to do, I'm confused at how THAT would lead to him being fired - especially if these cats are cool with him and he probably thought he was doing something cool for them.

I seen some shit like this happen at my job where a white kid asked the other whites standing around why they were just watching the black guy do all the work. Next thing I know - they had that boy on the carpet in tears and he was fired. Meanwhile, he was cool as hell with the brothers there. He hung out with them at lunch. Hung out with them after work and at happy hour. He was shocked. Kept saying but my girlfriend is black. My kids are black too. I didn't mean anything. But the older black guys he pissed off misunderstood his joke and got him fired.

This is shaky. I honestly don't know.


oNE
 
I guess they would not have been satisfied if he would have brought kiwi and passion fruit! :smh:

You have to be smarter when dealing with bigoted CACS I would have cut that motherfucker open sliced the biggest piece and handed it to him, then waited for him to bite it and then enjoyed the rest of that watermelon if he would have said "I don't want any" I would have said "then why did you bring it if you did not want any.":dunno:

That's when you got him with his own words, but just taking offense to watermelon is too easy.

Watermelon is good and healthy, especially if it's free, speaking of free, do you some of you arm chair militants realize if you allow a word or piece of vegetation to invoke outrage and despair
you'll never be free!


:cool::hmm::rolleyes: Messageo_O JMO if one person feels me the message is successful.
 
Last edited:
I AM SO CONFUSED...

So was it one person or the older folks that got offended. He look to be fitting in with that crew pretty strong. If it was a silly thing to do, I'm confused at how THAT would lead to him being fired - especially if these cats are cool with him and he probably thought he was doing something cool for them.

I seen some shit like this happen at my job where a white kid asked the other whites standing around why they were just watching the black guy do all the work. Next thing I know - they had that boy on the carpet in tears and he was fired. Meanwhile, he was cool as hell with the brothers there. He hung out with them at lunch. Hung out with them after work and at happy hour. He was shocked. Kept saying but my girlfriend is black. My kids are black too. I didn't mean anything. But the older black guys he pissed off misunderstood his joke and got him fired.

This is shaky. I honestly don't know.


oNE

The fire department has long been an institution that blacks and females were kept out of via changing the rules anytime we close to being hired. A lot of original black firefighters had to sue to get in and most municipalities don't want that kind of heat ever again due to some racial or sexist type shit. The fire department is considered a liability to the economy of most jurisdictions because unlike the police, we do not charge and most don't levy fines on the people they serve so law suits are swiftly avoided. With that being said, trial firefighters (first year firefighters) can be let go for damn near ANY reason. That guy coming in the door appearing to offset the balance sent up all types of red flags and him being probationary didn't help. Detroits high ranking officials saw what they deemed as a potential unnecessary problem and mitigated the situation, it's what firefighters are trained to do. He'll be alright, all he needs to do is start a gofundme and he'll make a million bucks off the situation.
 
Was it cold? I mean had it been refrigerated and was already ice cold? Asking for a friend.
 
Last edited:
And in other news...

Black Detroit firefighters defend white recruit fired over watermelon

Detroit-ff-photo_1507682996535_4330277_ver1.0_640_360.jpg


DETROIT (WJBK) - A fired Detroit probationary firefighter is getting a big show of support.

Robert Pattinson was fired after bringing a watermelon to his new post at Engine 55 at Joy and Southfield after some African-American firefighters there were offended.

Pattinson, a 41-year-old from Fenton is white, told FOX 2 by phone that it was not a joke. But Fire Commissioner Eric Jones officially discharged him afterwards.

But Tuesday a social media post by Tadarius Spearman stuck up for Pattinson including a group photo of him with other African-American firefighters.

"Just want to let everyone know he's a real amazing dude and it was all good intentions," he wrote. "And our entire class (is) supporting him in this. Especially us African-Americans and that's all that needs to be said. Stay up brother. #DFD."

Last week Jones released a statement to FOX 2 saying there was zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior inside the Detroit Fire Department.

"On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Engine 55, a trial firefighter (probationary employee) engaged in unsatisfactory work behavior which was deemed offensive and racially insensitive to members of the Detroit Fire Department," Jones wrote. "After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to terminate the employment of this probationary employee."

http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/loc...-stand-by-white-recruit-fired-over-watermelon
I can't with these dumb muthafuckas man. :smh: Always wanting to break bread with the enemy. :angry:

Et1uvi.jpg
 
Hell at least he went for his at 41. How many folks u know 60 plus on some shoulda, coulda woulda shit? A lot of bgol dudes are old as dirt still checking out these chicks that could be their Great nieces and Grand Daughters. A lil update a few brehs from his fire fighting class are backing him. He was the only white dude in the class.

I understand it came off like that
Its hard in general. My cuz is a local firefighter. I take my hat off toward ems, local pd and fire dpts.

Some local cities are far more dangerous than some global cities. I've heard horror stories via friends who work the icu in some of the worst areas in the borough.

Pleasantries Acur
 
He knew what he was doing. Nobody is that sheltered anymore...

I don't give any of em the benefit of the doubt anymore.

Like when they suggest playing hangman as an office game.

gtfohwtbs
 
as a group its fucked up, but if that was given to

me personally and it was the organic watermelon with

the black seeds...

I wouldve been grateful....

and if the dude was irish I wouldve sent him a case of potatos

if he was italian I wouldve sent him a case of tomatos..etc

it wouldve just been all fun and games personally,

but as a group I probably wouldve felt some kind of way with my fellow brethren..

but I wouldve took the watermelon home tho, thats if it was organic with the black seeds..
I have a zero tolerance policy for racist jokes and games. It would be all fun and games until they leave blatantly racist shit on your desk. Nooses and Buckwheat dolls and shit. Then your running to HR and guess what? Your both fired.
 
I can't with these dumb muthafuckas man. :smh: Always wanting to break bread with the enemy. :angry:

Et1uvi.jpg


Breh they aren't damn near retirement status like your average bgoler. U sound 20 yrs away from senior citizen status.

U grown u need to fallback on this group think shit just cause u believe a certain way doesn't mean everyone else has to do the same. His fellow classmates know him. U are sitting in New Jersey reading the story you've never been to the location where this incident has taken place.
 
Back
Top