About the Klan Hood

To the Editor:

Firefighter Bruce Stanley's recent letter in the July 21 issue regarding a white firefighter who wore a Klan hood in front of a black firefighter made a few claims that do not agree with reporting of the story in the May 5 edition of The Chief.

The first incongruity concerns the reason for wearing the hood: FF Stanley writes that it was done to annoy the black firefighter, while the earlier story indicated it was worn to tease the black firefighter out of his anger about phone calls he had received. The black firefighter understood this as an attempt to help him and did not object; in fact, he did not want the incident reported and did not cooperate with the investigation.

FF Stanley also claims that this type of joke is never acceptable to AfricanAmericans; but this attempt to speak for all African-Americans bumps up against the fact that the black firefighter in question took a picture of the hood-wearing white firefighter - which nobody objected to - and again, understood it as an attempt to help him get over his anger about the phone calls he had earlier received. Hard-edged humor, yes, but humor nonetheless and designed to help a brother firefighter.

FF Stanley does not believe that there has been an overreaction to this event, but I would have him consider that it remains a sore topic between the black firefighter and the supervisor who reported it, and the man who was subjected to the joke did not cooperate with the investigation. I would think he believes there has been an overreaction and that this will never go away. I apologize to him for extending it at least one more week with this letter, but I felt it was important to answer FF Stanley.

I do agree with FF Stanley on one point - I have no confidence in the FDNY EEO office, either. Following his example, I would also like to add my "Constructive Suggestions" for minorities and women hoping to join the FDNY: study for the written test, train for the physical test, take advantage of the equal opportunity afforded you by the civil service system and take personal responsibility for the results of your efforts, good or bad. Not everyone can become a firefighter (or a lawyer, baseball player, etc.), and standards must be upheld regardless of your race or gender.

PAUL D. MANNIX, Battalion Chief, FDNY