[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...&TM=48758.1

City Investigating Racial Incident
White firefighter reportedly displayed hose, tied into a noose, over head of a black firefighter during training exercise.

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Michigan City Fire Department officials and Mayor Chuck Oberlie said Monday it's likely a firefighter accused in what has been called an instance of "racial intimidation" will be disciplined soon.

Oberlie and Michigan City Fire Chief Dave Lamb confirmed Monday that a racial incident occurred, but said the department plans to release an official accounting of the incident - and the ramifications - to the public in the coming days.

Several firefighters along with city officials, who all asked to remain anonymous, told The News-Dispatch the incident involved a white firefighter, a black firefighter and the display of a noose by the white firefighter.

Reportedly, the incident happened during a training exercise at the Fire Administration Offices and Training Center, 2510 E. Michigan Boulevard.

Several firefighters were undergoing a rescue training exercise that involved the proper way to tie knots when the white firefighter constructed a noose and then displayed it over the head of a black firefighter.

"We're investigating the issue. There will be accountability," Oberlie said Monday. "There's no room for that type of thing in Michigan City."

Oberlie said he expects an announcement about the city's investigation to be made before the end of this week.

Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...&TM=48758.1

Noose Ignites Firefighters' Furor
Some are surprised episode occurred after diversity training, while others suggest incident is being misrepresented by media.

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - As city officials hash out an alleged racial incident that occurred within the city's fire department last week, firefighters are downplaying it while others are surprised it happened.

"This is 2008 and I'm just surprised that it's happening," said Battalion Chief Willie Milsap, who is black. "You've got to understand, we've had diversity training that addressed this specific stuff. This is a work environment."

Mayor Chuck Oberlie and Fire Chief Dave Lamb are looking into an incident that allegedly occurred June 10 during a training exercise, in which a white firefighter is alleged to have tied a noose and held it near a black firefighter.

The News-Dispatch spoke to five firefighters last weekend and on Monday - four of whom asked to remain anonymous - and Oberlie, with each confirming a racial incident had occurred.

The stories told by those who detailed the incident differed, but all said a noose-type rope was involved. Officials are keeping the names of the men involved quiet until they announce possible punishments later this week.

Greg Wallen, a Michigan City firefighter, was angry Tuesday and said the incident was not racial and that the white firefighter alleged to have been involved didn't display a noose.

Wallen complained the real story should be heard from rank-and-file firefighters, not from administrators, about whom Wallen said, "No, they're not firefighters. You need to talk to actual firefighters and you'll find out what really happened."

Milsap, who also is a city councilman, and others - both on the department and in the community - have condemned the alleged incident, with their main concern being the fact that it happened despite training that dealt with the subject of displaying a noose.

Mike Rivera, head of the La Porte County Branch of the NAACP, reiterated Milsap about how such an incident could have occurred in a climate that has proven racially volatile in the recent past.

The department last year was accused of not adhering to a federal order mandating racial quotas on the department. Firefighters contend the quota system is unfair because it mandates hiring based on race over experience and qualifications.

Fourth-Ward City Councilman Ron Meer said Tuesday he fears racial tensions have been an issue in the department for decades.

"It wouldn't surprise me if stuff like this is why they find themselves under a federal court decree," he said. "This is the kind of things that makes those things (federal decrees) happen."

Rivera said Tuesday diversity training should have stopped the alleged incident from ever happening.

"The person this happened to didn't take it lightly," Rivera said. "(A noose) depicts, 'Hey, if you don't shut up, we're going to treat you like they did 200 years ago.' It's a symbol that blacks don't react to too well."

In a letter in today's Anvil Chorus, fire Capt. Gary Faucher said the alleged noose was actually a "double figure eight" tied on a rope during a rope tying training exercise.

He said the rope was held over the head of the man holding it, not over or near the victim's head. The black firefighter, Faucher said, was sitting next to the man with the rope.

"Either way, you have to know what that means," Rivera said. "It might have been horseplay, but it's just not right when you're working around an African American or a minority."

Milsap said he thinks a decision will come on the incident by the end of the week.

Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49114.93

What Makes Noose Racist Symbol?
As of yesterday [Monday], I had never written to The News-Dispatch. After reading a front-page article, "City investigating racial incident" [Tuesday], I feel compelled to do so. I was there, too.

I was under the impression that an investigation was about collecting facts. How then can you print so much false information?

First and foremost, the letter your paper received wasn't even signed. Does our right to face our accuser no longer exist?

Second, it wasn't a hose, we were in knot-tying class. It wasn't a noose, it was a double figure eight.

The knot wasn't held over a black firefighter's head, it was held over his own head. The black firefighter was sitting next to him.

As history will attest, far more Caucasians met their fate at the end of a noose. What I find racist is the person who relates a noose to African Americans.

What needs to be investigated is the person who wrote said letter and their reason behind these false allegations.

Had I not already canceled my subscription to your newspaper, I would be doing so today.

Gary Faucher, Captain

Michigan City Fire Department

[Roger Kaputnik]

This guy is a captain???? What a joke!

[Southsider2k12]

Another version of the story, with more Oberlie quotes. This story has been picked up by major media now. Yuck.

http://www.post-trib.com/news/1011173,mcnoose.article

Michigan City noose incident sparks mayor's ire

June 18, 2008
Recommend (1)

BY STAN MADDUX Post-Tribunecorrespondent

MICHIGAN CITY -- The city fire department is investigating whether a white firefighter hung a noose made of a fire hose over the head of a black firefighter.

"Whether it was a prank or not, it's stupid and there's no room for it," said Mayor Chuck Oberlie, who ordered the investigation.

The NAACP, which has worked with the city on recent minority hiring practices, also plans to get involved.

"There should be a zero tolerance right off the bat," said Mike Rivera, president of the Michigan City-LaPorte County NAACP chapter.

Oberlie would not confirm or deny published reports that a firefighter made a noose from a fire hose and held it above the head of an black colleague at a recent training exercise.

Oberlie, though, did reveal the complaint was racial in nature.

"If it's true, it's extremely disappointing," he said.

For now, the names of the individuals allegedly involved aren't being released.

Fire officials also remained tight-lipped about the ongoing probe.

"We're not making any comment at this time," said Randy Novak, Michigan City's deputy fire chief.

Oberlie said he anticipates more specifics will be released once the fire department investigation is completed, perhaps by the end of this week.

"Hopefully, in the next day or two, we'll know the details and the course of action to be taken," Oberlie said.

Rivera said the local NAACP branch could apply pressure to find out why details were not immediately provided.

He also said the mayor's office did not contact him about the investigation, which Rivera found surprising given recent gains in working with the city on various minority-related issues.

"I'm a little shook I haven't heard from the mayor on how this was to be handled. People are not going to want to wait to get details. This kind of thing can cause an uprising," Rivera said.

Initially, Oberlie said complaints were voiced to Fire Chief Dave Lamb, who went to him with the concerns.

This post has been edited by southsider2k7: Jun 18 2008, 01:11 PM

[Ang]

I've known Gary Faucher for 25 years. While I don't know for sure what happened, I believe that this may be a case of "mountain out of a molehill" if Gary would take the time to write to the paper. He hates that stuff and always avoided the Anvil Chorus. This I know for a fact as we spent much time together and reading the paper was one of our favorite things to do together.
Yeah, his words at the end are a little strong, especially slamming the paper like he did, but if he was there then he would know what really happened. Personally, I'm glad he took the time to write to the Anvil Chorus despite how he feels about it to tell what happened as he saw it.

[Roger Kaputnik]

My objection is to his apparent ignorance of what a noose means in the US and in this context. It is a problem if he is that ignorant; if he does know, then his indifference is the problem.

[Roger Kaputnik]

I thought this was interesting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7461099.stm






S Africa Chinese 'become black'
Chinese activists say they also fought against apartheid The High Court in South Africa has ruled that Chinese South Africans are to be reclassified as black people.

It made the order so that ethnic Chinese can benefit from government policies aimed at ending white domination in the private sector.

The Chinese Association of South Africa took the government to court, saying its members had been discriminated against.

An estimated 200,000 ethnic Chinese live in South Africa.

The association said their members often failed to qualify for business contracts and job promotions because they were regarded as whites.

The association said Chinese South Africans had faced widespread discrimination during the years of apartheid when they had been classified as people of mixed race.

The BBC's Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg says the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment and the Employment Equity Acts were designed to eradicate the legacy of apartheid which left many black people impoverished.

The laws give people classed as blacks, Indians and coloureds (mixed-race) employment and other economic benefits over other racial groups.

The Black Economic Employment concept was initiated by the governing ANC to help previously disadvantaged individuals - to start their own businesses or become part of existing companies - thus redressing the country's historic inequalities.

Whites still on top

Our correspondent says the ruling provides clarity for corporations in South Africa on the rights of their Chinese staff - who were declared "coloured" under apartheid but are generally regarded as white today.

An example cited in court papers includes an oil company that disqualified Chinese citizens from getting a slice of its biggest empowerment transaction to date.

The company says the group is not catered for in the Black Economic Empowerment codes.

Another example includes a Chinese national who was refused an opportunity to buy shares from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange two years ago.

None of the three government departments cited as respondents in the court case opposed the application.

A study released last month revealed that white South Africans still earn around 450% more than their black counterparts, 14 years after the end of apartheid.

[edgeywood]

My objection is to his apparent ignorance of what a noose means in the US and in this context. It is a problem if he is that ignorant; if he does know, then his indifference is the problem.

And this was AFTER the diversity training...

[Southsider2k12]

Reader Comments

Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2008
Article comment by: Brient Thomas

It's time that the city, and the Mayor get rid of that good ole boy net work that we see in the Michigan City fire department, and also in the police department. We need city leaders that will do what it takes to those type of racial incidents that took place at the fire department. If they can't clean this kind of stuff out of these departments we should just vote them out when election time come. People must remember that politicians only respond when they have pressure on them from the public.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=58292.02

Are Whites Lynched For Being White?
Responding to Capt. Gary Faucher's statement Wednesday that far more Caucasians met their fate at the end of a noose [ "What makes noose a racist symbol?"], that is probably a true statement.

How many Caucasians do you think met their fate simply because of the color of their skin?

Lester M. Norvell Sr.

Michigan City

[Roger Kaputnik]

Thank you, Mr. Norvell.

[Ang]

After reading Lester's comment, I understand now what Roger was trying to say.

[Dave]

That's a coincidence. I think I was introduced to Mr. Norvell this afternoon.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=54902.62

Firefighter Suspended For 5 Days
By all accounts, a noose allegedly created during a knot-tying exercise was not racially motivated.

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A battalion chief at the center of an incident some are calling racial has been suspended without pay for five days, Michigan City Fire Chief Dave Lamb announced Friday in a prepared statement.

Lamb said that firefighter Michael Osborne "engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the Michigan City Fire Department and violated the Michigan City Employee Code of Conduct requiring employees of the city to avoid inappropriate and disrespectful behavior at all times."

After the suspension, it appears that Osborne will return to his job as battalion chief and A shift commander.

On June 10, Osborne, while attending an in-service training session on knot tying, allegedly created a noose and while holding it in his hand, "extended it above the head of an African-American firefighter, attempting to draw laughter from the balance of the class," Chief Lamb's statement said.

Lamb said witness accounts - including that from the black firefighter who was the apparent target - called Osborne's actions "non-malicious" and a "miserable effort at humor."

At least four firefighters told The News-Dispatch that the incident wasn't racial.

Despite witness testimony, though, Lamb said Osborne's actions "reflected an extremely offensive insensitivity to those of the Michigan City community who find no humor in historical references to the nation's violent racist past."

Mayor Chuck Oberlie said Friday he played no role in the punishment decision, leaving it up to Lamb.

"My only concern is that the department did a thorough investigation," he said, "and that it be done appropriately." The mayor declined to comment further on the decision to suspend Osborne.

Lamb said the department will conduct further diversity training exercises, despite the fact it has held such training before. The training will be mandatory for all department staff.

"As a department which prides itself on its professionalism, we are at once extremely outraged and deeply disappointed that such behavior could be found within the ranks of the department," Lamb said. "We will redouble our efforts to ensure in the future that only the highest level of respect can be found between and among fellow firefighters."

Michael Rivera, head of the La Porte County NAACP, said Friday he's pleased with the outcome of the investigation and hopes it will move things along within the department.

"Any time you hear it's mutual (the agreement that the incident wasn't racial), you can put that to the side and keep working," he said. "It wasn't a racial situation according to what I'm hearing. But you want to send a message and I think that's been done."

Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.

[Roger Kaputnik]

We should draw the distinction between 'racial' and 'racist.'

Do we agree that there can be racial humor that is not racist? Consider the source, too: If I make the jokes Chris Rock makes, does it cross into racist territory from racial because I am a white guy?

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=49085.43

Some White Firefighters Stood For Truth
I am a lieutenant and 21-year veteran of the Michigan City Fire Department. I am writing not to rave about the job my fellow firefighters do day in and day out but to respond in the court of public opinion.

I have been demoralized by the actions of a few and hope that the truth will somehow prevail. I was not present when the "noose" incident occurred, but concluded that what happened that day at the training center and its misperception are deeply troubling.

What I will not do in this forum is judge guilt or innocence. We have a fire chief, mayor and Fire Merit Commission in place to determine accountability.

This is the SECOND incident in a year forcing the chief's office to act on charges of discrimination and harassment in the work place. Both incidents were acknowledged by firefighters who were offended and disgusted.

We do have a dedicated department; we put our lives in each others' hands daily.

I feel nothing but pride for the small number of white firefighters who stood for the truth when the rest stayed seated. They are the ones of which the city should be most proud.

Ronnie Martin

Michigan City

[Roger Kaputnik]

Are there ever any incidents where white FFs are the butt of racist jokes or jibes? Would they necessarily notice? Care? Would outsiders?