Native american a minority

[flucas]

Hello I will be applying for some fire jobs soon in texas, oklahoma, and colorado. As soon as my paramedic class is over. But my question is Iam a majorty white male I have dark hair with Little bit of a darker compliction but not enough that I still look like a white boy. I do have enough native american blood to have an Indian card that says I belong to the chereokee nation, and that my ansectors were on the rolls. I was wondering what would a fire department think if I put down that I was a minority. Would it look like I was trying to take advantage of the system, or would they care since most departments are desperate to hire minorities? Is native american even a minority in most departments eyes.? Or could I even say I was a minority since Iam more white than indian?

[Tann3100]

As long as you have your paperwork to back it then it doesnt matter. So I take it you have at least 1/8 in you?

[CaptBob]

Your best undisbuted day is to have a registration number from the tribe.

Captain Bob

[JayDudley]

Flucas....I am American Indian of a Cherokee Tribe out of Muskogee, Oklahoma. I didn't have papers as Grandma Stoop didn't want the Governments hand outs. I put down a check by "Do you consider yourself or are a member of an Indian Tribe. The answer was and is YES. I did not have to prove it only that I consider myself an American Indian. The Civil Service only made one comment to me about it and it was only jokily. So unless they ask for proof and you have it.....Put it down as a YES!!

Respectfully,
Jay Runningbear Dudley,
Retired Fire

[wag11c]

How about physical and mental preparation for your FF exam? The men you work side by side with won't care if you are half Indian, just that you are the best you can be...sorry for the rant.

[Peekay]

True, If you can't pass the written it won't make a difference. In all reality minority status doesn't really matter all that much, look at Chicago. They have gone to a random sampling process to fill a clips. Maybe not the most fairway of doing things, but it does guarantee some level of diversity.

Having gone through three big city processes and being a minority, I can tell you it hasn't helped one iota . What got me far in the process is hard work, being a minority didn't matter a bit. It didn't matter in the written, it didn't matter in the physical, and the only place it helped a little was the interview because I could explain how I can understand another culture a little better being a part of it. But even if I wasn't a minority, I would have still had a great answer for the question because I was prepared.

Anyways good luck with the process, it can be a bear.

[Tann3100]

Minority status won't give you an edge unless you can explain it in the interview. Anyways good luck with the process, it can be a bear.

It gives a you a big edge at Nashville fire

[JayDudley]

Being an American Indian didn't help me at all. They(Civil Service) just wanted to know the breakdown of the people they hire. No extra points for being an American Indian....extra points came from being a Viet Nam Vet.

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[flucas]

I trying to be prepared in all ways possible I study all the time, I went to paramedic school and I enjoy that, I am in the best shape of my life even in better shape when I played football in college. Iam also trying to learn spanish so that might make me more hireable. I was just asking if using my indian card would give me advantage in the hiring process. I read on colorado springs website that minorities Are encourage to apply.

[jonathanj003]

POST REMOVED BY WEBTEAM FOR PERSONAL ATTACK.

USER BANNED FOR 7 DAYS.

WEBTEAM

[boojie32]

Wow.......

[2andfrom]

Post removed by WebTeam

Thank you from our Minister of Charm and Diplomacy-our motto "Kill them all-let God sort them out"

[webteam]

Folks

Please stay on the topic moving forward. User dealt with. Thanks to those who reported.

WebTeam

[JayDudley]

I'm glad your there to take care of your site.

Respectfully,
Jay Dudley, Retired Fire

[jonathanj003]

My appologies to those that may have been offended by my comments; however, this was not a personal attack on anyone. These are just my thoughts, and thoughts of others I'm sure (half of which will not speak up).....about the situation that was brought up. And again I will echo the same: It is deplorable to use the NATIVE AMERICAN MINORITY as a crutch for hiring leverage! That is the topic, is it not? And how am I not sticking to it?

My post was in essence just to say instead of worrying about how to manipulate the system and use the minority card, why not go to Medic school? Why not work on your Firefighter certs? Why not study up on some specialty courses? Make sense yet? This was not a personal attack--just the truth that should be pointed out--and is long overdue. This has been a tough topic for years and no one addresses it. At times cities and municipalities select candidates on race, color, creed, sex, (fill in the blank) in order to meet certain criteria in the hiring percentages. This is no suprise or anything new. However, when this is done, MOST OF THE TIME, THE BEST CANDIDATE IS PASSED OVER TO HIRE ON THE ABOVE!! It is ludacris!

Anyone that disagrees with me I would love to hear a counter-argument.

That is all.

[SPFDRum]

If you use "being a minority" to get the job, or worse, use it a an excuse why you didn't, all respect and credibility will be gone. Now if you are a minority and make the job with your own merits, using or asking for no preferential treatment, than you will have a long, enjoyable career.
Ask yourself this question: "Would I want to risk my life working with someone that has been given the job because of skin color or minority status, or work with a fellow member that has earned their position?" An honest answer will anwer your question of:I was wondering what would a fire department think if I put down that I was a minority. Would it look like I was trying to take advantage of the system ?

[flucas]

I was simply asking if using my Indian card would be looked down on. And It looks like I found my anwser and I do agree that some fire departments hire quanity over quality when it comes to hireing minorties. But let me tell you this there are plenty of great firefighters out there that are an minority and JUST LIKE ME THEY DIDNT USE THE MINORTIY CARD AS THE ONLY THING TO GET THEM IN. I HAVE A BS , THREE A.A.S ONE IN PARAMEDICINE ONE IN FIREFIGHTING. IAM NEWLY TRAINED MEDIC AND LOVE THE JOB I HAVE MY FFI AND FFII CERTS. AND IAM NOW TAKING SPANISH CLASSES. ALL THE WORK I HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS IS TO BE THE BEST CANIDATE I CAN BE FOR THE HIRING PROCESS WHICH IAM JUST BEGINNING THIS FALL AND I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR THAT LITTLE EDGE SO I WOULD BE NOTICED OUT OF THE STACKS OF RESUMES AND THAT THEY COULD ALEAST GIVE ME A CHANCE AND DECSIDE FOR THEMSELVES IF IAM WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. I DONT WANT ANY HANDOUTS.

[JayDudley]

If there are guidelines set up to use and one uses them why do you say he or she is using the minority card. Those of us who have followed the rules and some do not like the results should not be saying negative things to those who take advantage of the rights we have. There has been Cities who give preferences for locals, vets, minorities, women, prior firefighters etc. So don't stand on your soap-box and think that that's unfair.....its going by the rules set down by each Fire Department.
Flucas....you have the Stamps (Experience) go ahead and use it.

Respectfully,
Jay Runningbear Dudley, Retired Fire