By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 5:20 PM
Burning Crosses, Hanging Monkies. No, not quite the title of a new Wire Fu movie starring Chow Yung Fat. Just the latest chapter in St. Louis' never-ending story of racists behaving badly. Labels: Fire_Dept, Francis_Slay, Race
On the same day that a special House committee heard testimony on why the State of Missouri should finally apologize for years of recognizing Africans as the legal property of others, two reports highlight the struggle for racial harmony that still exists today.
The FBI was notified this week of a cross-burning in the nearby town of Belleville, IL.
From the Post-Dispatch:Police here are investigating a burning cross that was found Saturday in a black man’s yard on the 3600 block of Sheridan.
And in the recently beleaguered St. Louis fire department, where tensions have been high for weeks following Mayor Francis Slay's removal of the city's first black fire chief, a stuffed toy monkey was found hanging in an engine house.
Police said a neighbor had seen the 5 foot cross about 11 a.m. Saturday. The resident had not seen a cross when he got home at 1 a.m. the night before. The bottom of the cross burned, and racial slurs were written on it with a black permanent marker.
Chris Molitor, head of the predominantly-white firefighters union, Local 73, played down the incident, telling the Post that the stuffed animal was found at a fire several weeks ago by firefighters at the station."It was put on the coat rack because it was wet and it was drying," Molitor said. As for the rope, he said, it "has been attached to that coat rack for several years."
Despite Molitor's explanation, the black firefighters union and the new fire chief, Dennis Jenkerson, are said to be taking the incident "very seriously."
15 Comments:
Local 73s absurd explanation of that act of intimidation is so ludicrous that even Slay's "boy" Bryson doesn't buy it! What are firefighters doing taking anything from a fire scene,wouldn't that be theft if you were to believe Local 73s statement?
12/11/2007 11:01 PM
This was the exact same thing that happened in Baltimore a week ago. A black firefighter claimed racism for an identical occurace. Funny thing is, that the black community WILL deny, is that the black firefighter made up the whole thing and he caused the uproar, just to stir the tension there. Imagine that.
Since then, he has lost his job. Good.
Also, it was interesting to note that their local NAACP chapter tried to blame whites, even after they recieved the information that the black firefighter admitted his wrong doing.
Imagine that....
12/12/2007 12:00 PM
This is reported to have taken place in Baltimore:
" Last May, firefighters at a Baltimore, Md., fire station came under scrutiny for displaying a deer with an afro wig, gold tooth, gold chain and a cigarette hanging from its mouth.
Marvin "Doc" Cheatham, president of the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP, went ballistic, charging, "There is now and has been a culture of racism and white supremacy within the Baltimore City Fire Department."
As it turns out, it was a black fireman who dressed up the critter. Cheatham refused to apologize for his accusations of fire department racism, maintaining "there is now and has been a culture of racism and white supremacy within the Baltimore City Fire Department."
On Nov. 21, a hangman's noose was found at the fire station with a note, "We can't hang the cheaters, but we can hang the failures. No EMT-1, NO JOB." The noose and note turned up on the heels of an investigation into allegations of cheating on the test that emergency medical technicians must take for certification.
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, a black, in a written statement said, "I am outraged by this deplorable act of hatred and intimidation. Threats and racial attacks are unacceptable anywhere, especially in a firehouse." Doc Cheatham said, "We're going to demand that this be handled as a hate crime. This thing really needs to end here in Baltimore city." The incident prompted a federal investigation.
Last week, Donald Maynard, a black firefighter-paramedic, confessed to having placed the noose, note and drawing depicting a lynching on a bunk in the firehouse. City officials said Maynard was recently suspended, prior to his confession, from the department Friday for failing to meet requirements for advanced life-saving training. A spokesman for Mayor Dixon said there would be no criminal charges filed.
In response to Maynard's confession, NAACP President Cheatham still blamed white racism, saying, "It really saddens us to hear that evidently things have reached a stage that even an African-American does an injustice to himself and his own people as a result of a negative culture in that department."
12/12/2007 12:02 PM
These type of acts are treacherous because they only aim to sow discord, disharmony, and hate between people who are prepared and willing to get along and work together.
Talk about hate crimes--sowing such discord and hatred should top the list. It's a throwback to Tawanna Brawley and Al Sharpton accusing a white police officer of covering her with feces and the Duke University Lacrosse players of rape.
Such acts are sick in the worst way and based on lies and slander.
12/12/2007 12:43 PM
OK, that was Baltimore. The issue is St. Louis.
Personally the "n" word, hangmen's nooses, etc. don't offend me because they are significant of someone else's inner struggle and I'm not consenting to being offended. Now, attempt to put a noose around my neck, deface my personal property, YOU'LL SEE THE NAT TURNER BLOOD THAT RUNS IN MY VEINS!
12/12/2007 1:09 PM
Should the relatively few false rape claims negate the thousands of actual rapes that occur every year?
12/12/2007 2:12 PM
Nope.
Whoever ends up being responsible for this should get the shit knocked out of them.
12/12/2007 3:29 PM
Po Righteous teacher! The blood still runs through my vein. I feel your grief my friend. George Bush vetoed the the popular SCHIP bill again!! Simultaneously, the lawmakers are laboring over another $70 billion war bill.But, the president said he had to "quit drinking". I'm sorry I digressed momentarily, there are so many things going on throughout the New World aka "America". The white firefighters got a new chief, a new public safety director, 25 new captains and they were able to suceesfully remove a diving board from a booster's pool. What else do they want? New Boots? As part of a training excercise, I would like the nice firefighters to do me a favor...well, maybe not. What is a burning cross? Why do cowards always wear hoods and burn crosses and then run? If the House Concurrent Resolution No. 26 passes, it would be nice if the legislatives could sweeten the pie with about $3.5 million per African American Household. This would really help the economy. Seriously, America paid the Japanese who were in the Internment Camps. Germany made restitution to many Jewish families. Of course, natives or indigenous inhabitants only receive about $3000 annually for the land they once owned. THAT'S WROUNG!!! Don't be sorry...Be Careful..Well it's time to go look for the cross burners. Nat Turner speaks again!....Salaam!
12/12/2007 7:05 PM
The WHOLE St. Louis Fire Department got a new Fire Chief because the other one was unable to do his job. He put the department further back from going forward. We will go forward with or without FIRE. If the members want to cause trouble, we WILL find you, and YOU will be punished. Unlike the previous Chief, issues will not be swept under the rug.
I'll stand 100% that the issue @ engine house 13 was not done by a white firefighter, yet a member of FIRE who whole-heartly beleives that this incident will cause the new chief to lose his position and try to poison the motto of the St. Louis Fire Department "Justifiably Proud".
I'm Jim Rome and I am out...
SALAMI!!
12/12/2007 7:38 PM
"WE"...meaning you and the other nighthawks Jimmy "Boy" Roaming? The former Chief was prevented from carrying out the duties as they were defined Lil jimme. I can tell you're upset and you feel like exerting yourself lil jimme. I like that, a true sign of a nighthawk.In 1847 it was against the law for a black to read or write. Are you reading me lil jimme? You said, "We will find you and punish you", Now that's a real nighthawk!! I'm proud of you lil jimme. Even in defeat you proceed to battle with weak words. The nighthawks killed me over a hundred years ago, but I'm still a live and doing well lil jimme. The founding fathers would be proud of you lil jimme. Lil jimme, can you put out a burning cross? Stand tall lil jimme.....Nat Turner
12/12/2007 8:04 PM
Unfortunately, this Nat Turner is a far cry from the original and historical Nat Turner. This Nat Turner is stuck in the 19th Century and won't allow himself to be confused by any facts today.
12/13/2007 3:50 PM
Nancy, my little turtle dove! You're so innocent and pure.Tell me more about Algeria and your love for black men. Are you happy during the day? Are you celebrating Christmas in the New World? What are your hopes for Afro People? How can we help or heal you Nancy?
12/13/2007 5:29 PM
Nat, you must be so enamoured with yourself that you think anyone with a feminine name loves black men, alluding to yourself.
You certainly aren't a credit to your race by your silly, nonsensical, irrational statements.
Thank goodness there are African American men in this community that seem to have their heads on straight. In fact one is the pastor. Michael Williams, of Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church. You might wish to talk to him sometime. Or you might wish to dialogue with columnist Carol Daniel (St. Louis American). Now there's a woman who tells it straight.
Or how about the young man from ESL, James Ingram? He seems to have his head on straight.
12/13/2007 6:53 PM
Nancy, must you resort to leaning on snakes in the pullpit when you fail at solving your mysteries?
12/13/2007 10:01 PM
In all honesty, Black men aren't afraid of a silly lil rope hanging from a tree or in any structural building. Do you really believe an incident like this will materialize to an actual lynching? Hell No!! Trust me, it'll never happen! It would scare the hell out of most white folks. Black people don't have grievances with all white America. We have our own issues to deal with throughout our community.
Now, this is where politicians and big labor should be concern. If real job creation isn't on the agenda as a serious concern in 2008and beyond, social upheaval will probably go to another level.You think crime is prevalent in North St. louis right now? People have to survive.Look at what Meth is doing to Jefferson County. Meth accelarates the decay of teeth. Have you been to Jefferson County lately? Big demand for dentist!
Simply put, $8-11.00 hour jobs are unacceptable. All urban children aren't cut-out for the traditional 4 year college. St. louis has issued serious TIF credits for the redevelopment of Downtown. Lets move on to more serious issues.
This idea of globalization is an illusion. It is just another chance for big labor to avoid the real responsibility of addressing
America's citizens (black and white).
Consider this, almost 70% of durable goods are being produced in other countries, such as China, India and other countries.
I don't have an issue with legal immigration. However,illegal immigration is just modern day slavery. Politicians don't give a damn about poor blacks or poor whites. Ironically, poor whites think they're priviledged republicans. Keep thinking!!
I see the look on people's faces at the gas stations. A look of dismay and sorrow. These are your average everyday folks. Our government continues to issue licenses for casinos. I witness people putting $3.00 worth of gas in their tank and purchasing &4.00 in Power Ball tickets. Hopelessness.
The only thing a politician can do for me, is "shine my shoes".
Have you been to some of the malls lately? Plenty of parking space.
Again, don't give me that "crap" about better schools will create more jobs. What came first? Chicken or the Egg? We need industrial, blue collar jobs NOW!!!
Don't let the economist lie to you. Watch how you spend your money, don't let Christmas destroy you financially. It's just one day!
....Salaam!! Nat Turner
12/14/2007 6:28 PM
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