White Detroit Firefighter Fired After Black Co-Workers Complain About His ‘Racist’ Food

When firefighters were hired to work at a Detroit firehouse, they were instructed to bring a food of their choosing to share with the entire staff. However, a white firefighter was shocked to hear that he’d been fired because some of his offended black co-workers deemed his meal choice “racist” and “discriminatory.”

Second Battalion Chief Shawn McCarty (pictured) explained that a white firefighter was officially discharged because of the “discriminatory” food item he brought to the station. (Photo Credit: Screenshot/Fox 2)

For years, the left has attempted to gain votes from the minorities they once biasedly legislated against by creating and promoting special interest groups. Of course, this has only further alienated Americans, placing them into labeled boxes and setting them against others in a deliberate attempt to divide and conquer.

Our nation has fallen into chaos as everything is now deemed racist, causing the word to lose its meaning entirely. Thanks to the left’s identity politics, these tiny minority groups are now punishing individuals who accidentally offend their hair-trigger sensibilities like tantrum-throwing children wielding far too much power.

When new hires are brought onto the Second Battalion in Detroit, Michigan, they are introduced to a time-honored tradition of presenting their co-workers with a gift, usually a food item to share. Unfortunately, now that leftist identity politics are out in full force, certain foods are now apparently too racist for white people to be allowed to eat.

On September 30, 41-year-old Robert Pattison was fired from Engine 55 because several black employees decided that the watermelon he brought to share with his co-workers was an act of “discrimination” and blatant racism. In a bizarre and outrageous set of events, Pattison told Fox 2 that he was officially discharged for bringing a large melon with a pink bow because some of the black employees were offended.

Robert Pattison, 41, was fired for bringing a watermelon because some of his black co-workers deemed it “racially insensitive.” (Photo Credit: Screenshot/Fox 2)

Pattison assured that he didn’t choose watermelon as a joke or with any racial intention in mind but rather because he enjoys the fruit and thought it would be a good choice to feed a number of workers. Still, his plea was ignored in favor of several black firefighters who claim that it’s “racially insensitive” for a white man to bring a watermelon to a station that is 90 percent black. A petition to have him reinstated has been published on Change.org.

Fire Commissioner Eric Jones defended the decision to fire Pattison, alleging that his move was discriminatory, although there is no evidence to suggest this other than the emotional responses of several workers.

“There is zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior inside the Detroit Fire Department,” Jones said in a statement. “On Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, at Engine 55, a trial firefighter (probationary employee) engaged in unsatisfactory work behavior which was deemed offensive and racially insensitive to members of the Detroit Fire Department. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to terminate the employment of this probationary employee.”

While Second Battalion Chief Shawn McCarty understands why some might view the melon as a racist gesture, he doesn’t believe that Pattison should’ve been fired over it.

“It’s not mandatory, it’s voluntary,” McCarty said. “You come in bearing gifts. The usual gift is doughnuts, but you are allowed to bring whatever you want to bring in.”

FOX 2: “Should he have lost his job over a watermelon?”

“I don’t think so,” McCarty says. “Between what he did and what was there are a few things that could have been done.”

Incredibly, many left-wing outlets have taken it upon themselves to deem the watermelon as a symbol of historical racism that characterizes blacks as “unclean, lazy, childish, and an unwanted presence,” despite the fruit being a summertime staple and symbol of Southern culture in general, Breitbart reports.

Expectedly, many commenters were outraged by not only the assertion that watermelon is racially offensive but also by the station’s decision being based on minority rule.

“On [sic] man are these northern states full of stupid! I’m from the south and everyone eats watermelon. White, black, brown, whatever. Watermelon is a common picnic or barbecue treat! Funny how all of these outlets and groups who have not lived in the south feel qualified to declare what foods are racist as if there are racist foods. We also eat a lot greens and cornbread too,” wroteone individual.

“Even though the new employee usually brings donuts (high-fat and high-cholesterol), this guy brought watermelon, which is much more healthy. I wonder if these racist-complainers eat watermelon off-the-job? If so, do they feel compelled to close their doors, blinds, and curtains? After all, if someone saw them, they could be accused of perpetuating racial symbolism,” wrote another.

“It is only dumb when people are looking for something to complain about. Do white firefighters complain if a black firefighter brings a box of ‘crackers’ to work? This crap is only racist when the weak minded want to make it that way,” another replied.

Additionally, others expressed their concern with whether such sensitive individuals could forsake their emotions to run into burning buildings, which requires placing feelings on the backburner, so to speak. In fact, it begs questioning if the individuals who demand a man lose his job over what they deem offensive would be able to put their lives on the line for an individual they believe is racially insensitive.

Still, the problem isn’t whether or not Pattison had a racial intention in mind when he brought the watermelon but that the easily-offended special interest groups are now running the show. These few black workers who wanted Pattison fired were allowed to pass judgment on him and deliver a harsh punishment that simply doesn’t fit the crime. Indeed, the ignorant and biased minority is ruling while the majority is at their mercy.

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