Rep. Jasmine Crockett had a clear message after political commentator Scott Jennings attempted to link this week’s destructive wildfires in Los Angeles to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The debate on CNN’s Newsnight broadcast found Jennings asserting programs encouraging adults beyond white males to start careers in fire fighting as reasoning the devastating fires were not easily contained
“We have DEI, we have budget cuts, and yet I’m wondering now if your house was burning down, how much do you care what color the firefighters are?” he questioned, per The Independent, referencing the Fire Foundry program.
As reported by NPR last year, the one-year training program focused on recruiting people of color and women for careers in the fire service between Marin County, CA., and area universities. The news outlet noted at the time that more than 90% of firefighters are men and about 85% are white, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jasmine Crockett attends The Root 100 2024 Gala at The Apollo Theater on December 05, 2024 in New York City.
Jason Mendez/Getty Images for The Root
Faced with Jenning’s commentary, Crockett swiftly pointed out the fallacy in his claim.
“Because you are a woman or because — because I know that some of the right has been sharing these photos of the fact that I believe that the fire chief may be a woman or something — that has nothing to do with it,” she said. “We are looking at qualifications. What diversity, equity, and inclusion has always been about is saying, ‘You know what, open this up. Don’t just look at the White men. Open it up and recognize that other people can be qualified.’”
The Texas lawmaker continued, “The fact is, stop trying to act as if only white men are the ones that are capable because right now, you’re sitting at a table with three very capable Black women.”
Jennings however stood firm in his opinion, relaying, “I’m not.” He continued to detail, “I’m just simply saying that as a matter of public policy in California, the main interest in the fire department lately has been in DEI programming and budget cuts.”
When pressed by CNN anchor Abby Phillip, Jennings admitted his intention is “blaming the Democrats who run the state.”
Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Five people have been killed, over 25,000 acres have burned, and 30,000 people have been evacuated.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images
According to the Associated Press, at least five people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as wildfires blaze through Los Angeles County. Residences and businesses alike were engulfed in flames and completely destroyed as Santa Ana winds began on Tuesday (Jan. 7), some of which reached more than 70 mph.
The death toll is expected to rise as crews begin to search devastated areas. Per AP, AccuWeather estimated $52 billion to $57 billion in preliminary damage and economic loss has occurred from the fires and with thousands of neighborhoods destroyed, the natural disaster stands as the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
Leave a comment