cramer@kontron.UUCP (Clayton Cramer) (07/03/85)
It's time to add some gasoline to the fire about affirmative action. Here's a wire-service article that appeared in today's _Orange_ _County_ _Register_: 4 Hispanic firefighters refuse promotion MIAMI - Miami's fire chief says he respects the decisions of four Hispanics to refuse affirmative-action promotions, but thinks it could cause problems for minority members who do accept them. "I don't fault them" said chief Kenneth McCullough. "But I think they are making a mistake." Jose Fallad, who turned down a promotion to lieutenant, said he thought the affirmative-action guidelines were discriminatory. Of the 19 to be promoted to lieutenant, six should be black and six Hispanic. Other minority firefighters already have accepted promotions. "By accepting a promotion out of turn, I would be admitting I'm not as good," Fallad, 31, a firefighter for seven years said Monday. "I feel I am equal to anyone else." Also refusing the promotion were David Farber, Nelson Lissabet and Henry Harrison. Harrison and Lissabet twice were turned down promotions last year which were based on affirmative action, according to McCullough. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's gratifying to see people who want to be evaluated as individuals, not as members of minority groups. It's even more gratifying to see that there are people who value their integrity above a promotion.