Black firefighters in southwest England, who have suffered a long time of racist treatment, intimidation and hostility from their colleagues, received an apology from the fire chief this week following the publication of a shocking report into long-standing and systemic racism in the fire service.

An independent inquiry into allegations of racism at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, which began in 2023 and included interviews with 40 current and former staff, found clear patterns of institutional racism throughout the organization between 1991 and 2018. – reported the International Fire and Safety Journal.

This included cases where black firefighters found themselves in unsafe situations by other firefighters who also exposed them to racial harassment, racial slurs, and swastikas.

Among those notoriously abused was Avanos Biney, a black firefighter who served from 1998 to 2001 and who took his own life in 2017 at the age of 49.

The report found that Biney was considered competent and trustworthy by his superiors, who gave him high rankings and praise for his performances. However, his colleagues often made racist remarks in his presence and denigrated him and other black firefighters.

Another firefighter was handed an “equal opportunity” document and his response to Avanos was, “What a f***ing waste of time.”

The report also states that after the volleyball game, Biney discovered the N-word on his shirt and swastikas were placed in his belongings.

He was isolated and bullied, and his friends alternately ignored or looked at him. His food was tampered with, itching powder was placed in his utensils and bed, and glass was placed in his shoes.

The report found that Biney was also exposed to dangerous situations arranged by co-workers. On one occasion, when Biney was sent to a fully prolonged platform ladder that was not securely secured, other firefighters manipulated the ladder in order that it rocked and rotated, causing him distress.

Biney recorded the complete incident and said, “As you may see, that is their way of getting fun: rocking me back and forth. I’ve been here for about 10 minutes. This becomes quite boring and makes me feel somewhat sick.

Despite complaints to management and Fire Brigades Associationno motion was taken against those involved. Biney’s subsequent tribunal application alleging racial discrimination and victimization in 2002 was dismissed since it was submitted out of time.

Biney resigned and later worked for one more fire and rescue service in Jersey. He committed suicide in 2017 at the age of 49.

His family, who remember him as outgoing, generous, funny and selfless, demanded recognition of the institutionalized racism and other inappropriate behavior that contributed to his negative experiences at Gloucestershire Fire Service.

Biney’s nephew, Curtis Biney, who lived with him at the time of the violence while Avanos was employed by GFRS, he told the BBC“He was a victim of bullying and isolated from everyone else. People were doing things to his locker, people were saying things in front of him. Various things were said about him. In short, it all came down to a group of people who believed they could do these things without any reproach.”

Due to the shortage of accountability amongst top management, “this cannot be prevented,” he said. “You deal with it yourself, you stand up, go to work, do your thing and stay silent. It’s terrible.”

Curtis Biney said the investigation and report were “long overdue.”

An independent review by West Midlands Employers found that GFRS was institutionally racist between 1991 and 2018, however the service is no longer institutionally racist as a results of reforms implemented over the previous couple of years.

In addition to systemic racism and shocking incidents of racial discrimination over time, organizational failings identified in the report include leadership that prioritized operational competence over people management and social inclusion, a lack of psychological safety when raising concerns about inconsistent and ineffective grievance processes, and widespread historical misogyny , reported on Gloucestershire Live.

Fire Chief Mark Preece apologized on behalf of GFRS, saying he accepted the findings and committed to continuing to remodel the service.

“I want to apologize to our firefighters and past and present employees who have been victims of or witnessed terrible acts of discrimination, were made aware of wrongdoing, and tried to support the victims as best they could with little or no support,” he said.

“I fully accept the finding that the Service was institutionally racist between 1991 and 2018, which, combined with the lack of action by those leading GFRS during that time, made the lives of our black and minority ethnic firefighters unbearable. … I am not saying that racism, misogyny and bullying have been eradicated. There is still a lot to do.”

About Biney and other black and ethnic minority firefighters who have experienced discrimination, Preece said:

“I want to make it clear that they were not troublemakers, they were just trailblazers. The courage of those individuals and family members who have spoken out, past and present, is breaking down barriers and challenging ignorant, long-held views and stereotypes. Their commitment to making change for good must be recognized, and the legacy of anyone who relives trauma must be lasting and significant.”

According to the International Fire and Safety Journal, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it will call for increased government motion and called for the establishment of a statutory advisory body to watch skilled standards across all fire and rescue services.

Describing the report as exposing “decades of appalling institutional racism”, Ben Selby, deputy secretary general of the FBU, accused fire service management of overlooking complaints and failing to guard black firefighters. He called on the service to “confront its history and take action to eradicate racism in all forms.”

Former GFRS fire chief Jon Hall told the BBC that he mentioned the concerns of black firefighters in 2013 when, after meeting with them, he discovered that no black firefighters had ever been promoted beyond their entry-level rank in the service. However, it took one other decade to resolve these systemic problems.

“This damning report underscores the scale of the problem, and fire commanders have had their heads in the sand for decades,” said Val Hampshire, FBU Southwest executive board member. She said collaboration between the fire service and the FBU is vital to achieving lasting impact in the fight against each racism and misogyny.

GFRS was covered by special measures regarding its performance and failure to handle diversity issues and promote a positive workplace culture in July 2022. In August 2023, the service announced that it had launched a latest workplace charter setting out the behavior, ethics and values ​​of the service. It also committed to an independent review, reported the BBC.

These announcements followed independent report in 2022, which deemed the London Fire Brigade “institutionally misogynistic and racist” and report of the Inspectorate of Police and His Majesty’s Fire and Rescue Service in March 2023, which found “bullying, harassment and discrimination” across all fire and rescue services in England.

Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama broke their silence Wednesday night after their friend Kamala Harris was defeated by Donald Trump within the 2024 presidential election.

“Clearly, this is not the outcome we had hoped for, given our deep disagreements with the Republican ticket on many issues,” Obama said in a joint statement. statement with wife Michelle Obama.

The powerful political couple, who campaigned vigorously against Trump in the ultimate weeks of the election cycle, added: “But living in a democracy is about recognizing that not every point of view will always prevail and being willing to accept a peaceful solution.” transfer of power.”

In an act of courtesy, America’s first Black president and first lady congratulated President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, just because the Obamas welcomed Donald Trump and Melania Trump to the White House when he was elected in 2016.

Despite the Democrats’ defeat, the Obamas said they “could not be more proud” of Vice President Harris and his running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, whom they called “two extraordinary servants” to “run an extraordinary campaign.”

“We will always be grateful to the employees and volunteers who poured their hearts and souls into electing public officials they truly believed in,” they continued.

The Obamas were extremely vocal throughout the campaign in support of Harris and Walz. The historically politically reserved pair have been particularly critical of Trump’s character, warning voters about his embrace of racist ideologies, penchant for authoritarianism and economic policies that can profit him and his wealthy allies.

However, voters overwhelmingly selected Donald Trump because the forty seventh president of the United States. Not only has Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, but he may additionally win the favored vote after a full count of all votes nationwide.

Former President Obama sought to provide global context for Harris’ loss, acknowledging the results of the 2020 pandemic that included “price increases” and “rapid changes” that left residents feeling as in the event that they were “treading water” economically “no matter how hard they work.”

“These conditions make it difficult for Democratic officials around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune,” Obama said.

According to A report from Vox: “2024 was the biggest election year in world history; More people voted this year than ever before. “Across the world, voters have told the party in power – regardless of its ideology or history – that it is time for change.”

The Obamas said: “The good news is that these problems can be solved.” But they added that solving them would come down to Americans listening to one another and upholding “the fundamental constitutional principles and democratic norms that have made this country great.”

“In a country as large and diverse as ours, we will not always be able to see everything. However, progress requires us to show good faith – even to people with whom we deeply disagree,” they explained. “That’s how we’ve come this far, and that’s how we will continue to build a country that is fairer, more equal and more free.”

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Two days after Donald Trump’s resounding election victory, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s body language spoke for just about all Democrats. She looks like she’d slightly attend a full-day insurance seminar with no bathroom breaks than one other day of answering reporters’ questions.

But it’s her job, and in two months it can be another person’s job (assuming the Trump administration allows the press to enter the White House). Until then, Jean-Pierre’s cheerful and nice demeanor will likely be put to the test.

She became visibly emotional Thursday in an interview with Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich after a seemingly benign query asked at her each day news conference about the Biden administration’s pre-election rhetoric.

“This administration has given millions of Americans the message that when they wake up the day after the election, if Trump wins and takes away their rights, democracy will fall apart. And the president said today: “Everything will be fine.” Heinrich he asked“So how do we even it out?”

From there, things got touchy.

“I can fix it. “I will explain this in a way that I hope makes sense because I have answered this question many times,” he replied Jean-Pierre.

In interview for PBS two weeks before the election, President Joe Biden was putting pressure on the Republican Party candidate, just as Heinrich summarized. Biden said world leaders fear a second term for Trump, sharply criticized his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and joked that his predecessor (and now successor) “believes in a free press like I consider I can climb Mt. Everest.”

Jean-Pierre said the comments were made before the election. This is a different reality.

“The American people have made their decision,” the press secretary continued. “The elections were held two days ago. Was! This was a free and fair election and we respect the electoral process. We do. And the Americans have spoken.”

“So the president’s job is to make sure that we respect that,” she concluded. “The president’s job is to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. This is what Americans deserve. …It’s not complicated. It’s really, really that simple.”

Heinrich’s further actions irritated the press secretary.

“What is the message to people who are afraid, given the content of (Trump’s) message?” – Heinrich asked before being interrupted by Jean-Pierre.

“Well, now you’re just twisting everything, and it’s really unfair,” she said, clearly upset. “Jackie, it is not fair because I’m standing here attempting to be respectful of what happened the last two nights, two nights ago. Showing respect. “I stand here and say we respect the decision made by the American people.”

“I stand here and say the president will put the American people first,” she continued. “I’m standing here talking about how the president will be sure they get what they deserve, which is a peaceful transition of power. I don’t love my words being twisted. I mean, I’m being very clear, very, very clear about what the president and the vp need to do. We need to be sure we deliver products for Americans. They deserve, they deserve, a peaceful transfer of power. And that is what you will see.”

And that is it for Thursday’s White House press release.