The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. ~Chief Justice Roberts

A lawsuit brought by a white New Haven firefighter and his fellow firebeaters asserts that New Haven's rationale for tossing out a Lieutenant's test was illegitimate and denied them an opportunity for promotion on account of the color of their skin.

New Haven threw out the test - last given in 2003 - because none of the 19 black firefighters who took it qualified for promotion; the lawsuit against the city included one hispanic firefighter.

I have many friends who are firefighters with the FDNY; none of them are less intelligent than any RBC members because of their blue collar profession. Sure its a very physical job but it also requires a great deal of analytical ability under fire (pun intended). While there aren't any multiple guess questions on the job, firefighters make multiple guess decisions every day.

As the person moves up in rank, performance involves more and more that is cerebral - as well as physical. Those who move up find themselves studying more and more.

Read the NY Times article here and the New Haven Register article here.

Thoughts?