False Issue in FDNY 

To the Editor:

Since Kevin James's Aug. 11 column criticizing me appeared in The Chief, I have been at a loss as to how to respond. Not because he presented a cogent and intelligent argument; quite the opposite. I have had a difficult time trying to understand what he was trying to convey. I think I've finally interpreted his beliefs, however, so here we go with an answer.

Mr. James writes that my suggestions to prepare for tests and accept responsibility for your efforts are insulting, and this is the point I have had the most difficulty with. What could possibly be wrong with this advice? I received it from my father and have passed it along to my children, so I concede his point that it is paternalistic. He also writes that I believe minorities and women are just waiting for a free pass, but does nothing to dissuade me from my supposed belief by stating later in his column that "alternative entry into the Department is essential." Demanding more back-door scams to increase diversity is hardly a good way to eradicate the belief that certain groups are looking for a free pass.

Mr. James's points are heavily weighted with emotion and subjectivity, and this causes him to be disingenuous. His point that there are no black EMS Chiefs because it's an appointive position, thus implying racism is involved, ignores the fact that the EMS promotion ladder requires that at least one written test must be passed, and promotion attained, to an intermediate rank before a chance to be Chief comes along. Ah, but I forgot - blacks don't do well on written tests, there's a disparate impact, etc., etc. so the whole system is racist and was probably designed to be so.

Enough, already. Blaming the public school system for a group's failure ignores the innumerable successes produced by that system. Utilizing disparate impact as a crutch turns Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech into a nightmare, as it demands that blacks be judged by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character.

As a ranking fire officer, my first concern is the safety of firefighters and the public. As an apparently influential African-American (judging by his position as President of the FDNY Islamic Society), it is Mr. James who is perpetuating hurtful stereotypes when he demands that standards be relaxed for blacks.

If civil service equal opportunity is a myth, how did Mr. James become a Supervising Fire Marshal? Or Vulcan Society President Paul Washington a Captain? Did we let down our guard and let them slip through our racist barriers, or did they attain their ranks through hard work and sacrifice? I will leave it to them to answer this question.

Mr. James claims to be insulted by my letter, but has no problem espousing his own incredibly insulting belief that New York City will be best served by a Fire Department that reflects and is drawn from the communities it serves - in other words, white firefighters won't risk their lives for black people.

I would like to point out an event where a group of minority civil servants had an opportunity to step up and help their community but chose to call a lawyer instead. This occurred following the horrendous attack on Abner Louima, when the NYPD transferred a large number of minority officers into the precinct where the attack occurred in an attempt to reassure the community. Following this action, the officers sued over the transfers, casting doubt over the concept that duty, honor and service are race-sensitive. Oh, yeah, then there are all those white firefighters who have been killed or injured over the years in minority neighborhoods. How does Mr. James explain their actions?

I advise the powers that be to ignore the retired Mr. James and listen to me, someone who is still active and plans to remain so for at least a decade: maintain or strengthen our hiring standards and ignore racial hustlers who care not for safety. I also have one more piece of advice for Mr. James: contact the Hispanic Society and find out how their numbers are growing so dramatically. I don't profess to know how they are doing it, but I can hazard a guess - less whining and more hard work.

PAUL D. MANNIX, Battalion Chief, FDNY