DOJ Informs Police and Fire Departments That Expecting Basic Math Skills Is Racist

In a shocking move that has raised eyebrows across the country, the Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken legal action against several police and fire departments, alleging that requiring employees to pass basic math exams is discriminatory and racist. The lawsuits, filed by the DOJ’s civil rights unit, argue that the tests disproportionately affect black applicants and are rooted in the radical theory of “disparate impact” a concept that suggests racial disparities in test results must be caused by racism, regardless of the actual content or relevance of the tests.

These lawsuits are an especially awkward development for Vice President Kamala Harris, who has attempted to position herself as a moderate in the closing weeks of the 2024 presidential campaign. Yet, the actions taken by the DOJ show the administration pandering to extreme left-wing ideology while displaying a patronizing view of black Americans. Instead of promoting merit and competence, the administration is effectively suggesting that expecting employees to know basic math is somehow unfair to minorities.

One recent lawsuit targets South Bend, Indiana, alleging that their firefighter and police officer tests discriminate against black applicants and female applicants. According to the DOJ, the written exam is "racist" because black candidates failed at a higher rate than white candidates, despite the fact that most black applicants passed the test. Those who failed now stand to receive cash payouts, but black applicants who passed will be excluded from any compensation.

In Durham, North Carolina, the DOJ reached a settlement with the city’s fire department after arguing that black candidates had failed firefighter tests at a higher rate. As part of the settlement, Durham agreed to pay nearly $1 million to individuals who couldn’t pass the exams and hire up to 16 of them as firefighters, despite the obvious risks involved in lowering standards for a life-or-death job.

Cobb County, Georgia faced a similar DOJ lawsuit earlier this year. The settlement argued that written exams and credit checks "disproportionately removed" qualified black applicants from consideration. However, critics note that ensuring firefighters can perform basic calculations, like determining how many hoses are needed for a blaze, is crucial to public safety.

The DOJ’s latest efforts also hit Maryland State Police, where a $2.75 million settlement was reached for black and female applicants who failed to pass written and physical fitness tests. These tests, designed to ensure law enforcement officers can perform the most basic of tasks, like running quickly during an emergency, were labeled "discriminatory."

While the DOJ frames these lawsuits as promoting equity, many argue that lowering standards for public safety jobs like police officers and firefighters is reckless and dangerous. Hiring unqualified individuals risks public safety, especially in life-threatening situations where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death.

The media has tried to downplay these issues, but there are real-world consequences when standards are ignored. For example, a notorious case in Washington, D.C., saw a 77-year-old man die of a heart attack in front of a fire station after firefighters failed to respond part of a broader issue with unqualified personnel being hired in the name of "diversity."

As we approach the 2024 election, this growing trend of undermining merit in the name of racial equity raises serious concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities. When standards are compromised, public safety takes a backseat. Is this the future Americans want?

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