First a Noose, Now Racist Graffiti at Houston Fire Station

The words blazoned across a Houston firehouse door were so hateful and obscene that city officials are refusing to say what was written there.  They do admit that two female firefighters were the target of the hate graffiti, that the epithets were racist and sexist and threatening, and that it looks like an inside job since only those with FAA clearance have access to the station. 

Allan Turner writes on the Houston Chronicle:  The discovery happened about 6:30 a.m. at Fire Station 54 at Intercontinental Airport, a station that the president of the Houston Black Firefighter’s Association said previously has suffered vandalism in the women’s quarters.  "This is a very painful day," said Executive Assistant Fire Chief Rick Flanagan. "This is without a doubt an act of hate. ... It is so distasteful, so painful, so despicable. We have the full support of the police department, and we have asked them to expedite this investigation."  Flanagan did not reveal the content of the graffiti, nor identify the female firefighters, one of whom is white, the other black.  Fire Chief Phil Boriskie said the case has been referred to the city’s office of the inspector general.  "This is a terminating offense and, frankly, a criminal offense," he said. "We will prosecute this to the fullest."

Or really?  Just weeks ago, Houston City Council members agreed to spend $60,000 on firefighter sensitivity training after a noose was discovered in the locker of veteran fire captain Keith Smith.  Smith claimed that the rope was merely a "fisherman’s knot" that he kept to honor the firefighter who taught him how to tie it.  The local African-American community took issue with that explanation, saying it was an emblem of overt racism.  There were calls for Boriskie’s resignation after the fire chief resolved the issue (to his own satisfaction) by "putting a note in Smith's permanent file."  (His permanent file?  What is this, seventh grade?)

It's not the first time that female firefighters in Houston have been victimized.  Jumping back to The Chronicle:  Fire Capt. Otis Jordan, president of the black firefighter’s group, said women’s quarters at Station 54 previously had been targeted by vandals.  Recently, he said, one of the women targeted in Tuesday’s incident had filed a complaint after someone disconnected the cold water in the women’s shower.  Jordan also said someone had urinated in the sinks and on the walls of the women’s restroom.  (Hmm.  I guess it is the seventh grade.)  “We are not going to stand for our sisters - or a white female - being treated that way,” Jordan said.  Jordan said he received a tearful telephone call from one of the firefighters shortly after she discovered the offensive graffiti.  Flanagan on Tuesday said he has assigned a team to check Jordan’s allegations and to find out what, if anything, was done to address them...  In an afternoon news conference, (activist Derik) Muhammad said he interpreted the graffiti as a death threat.  Fire department officials Tuesday said the graffiti incident left them badly shaken.  Boriskie described himself as "angry, embarrassed and bothered."  (So maybe he'll get busy writing more notes for more "permanent files?")

I live in Houston, and even I was surprised by the number of racist comments left by Chronicle readers responding to this story.  (Scroll through a few pages and you'll see what I'm talking about.)   I'm also curious what sort of language would be so dangerously inflammatory that city officials are afraid to summarize its content.  And why wasn't the urine on the walls submitted for DNA analysis? 

I have nothing but respect for firefighters who bravely risk their lives without benefit of the absolute power so many law enforement types find intoxicating.  But racism/sexism in any municipal entity is cancerous and should be excised before the entire work force is degraded.

UPDATE:  Sources have told Fox 26 that inside the station house, the words "Ni---r Lover," "Die B---h," and "Die N----r" were scrawled across the photo of the daughter of one of the firefighters.  The little girl whose portrait was defaced is deceased.

Comments

[Chris]

Typical redneck faggots in texas. What can you expect. Its the most racist state in the country without a doubt. It's a huge state full of mostly stupid, uneducated racist rednecks. Have you ever driven through texas and noticed all the redneck stickers on vehicles or rebel flags? They embrace their stupidity.