Posted on 01/06/2023 6:59:51 AM PST by Red Badger
VIDEO AT LINK.............
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Kay’Ana Adams wears her tattoos with pride, as she used to wear her Mobile Fire-Rescue uniform with pride, until she was fired over a tattoo on the back of her head.
Adams worked at the Mobile Fire Department Maryvale station on Dauphin Island Parkway for nine months until new ink on the back of her head changed it all.
When she got the head tattoo in June 2022, she believed it followed the fire department’s policy, which then prohibited “tattoos on the face or neck.”
“Hiring people before, during and after me with neck tattoos more prominent than mine was also kind of impactful in that as well,” said Adams. “I figured mine could be done in decency and order. I could also, based off the rules, cover it up.”
But that was not the case.
“Somebody put in a complaint in regard to my tattoo, and the next thing I knew I was being investigated for it, interrogated behind it, and then they made their decision that I was in violation of policy,” said Adams.
Mobile man completes 90 day ‘homeless on purpose’ journey for a good cause The city gave her the option to grow her hair out to hide the tattoo and she did it, according to Adams.
Weeks later, a different complaint was made regarding her hair being grown out and not being in compliance with the City’s policy, according to Adams.
“We have different textures of hair,” said Adams, a Black woman. “So, you have no idea how long it takes for my hair to grow.”
Three months after Adams got her tattoo, the department changed the policy to also prohibit head tattoos, above the neckline.
On Nov. 10, a captain at her station took a photo of the back of Adams’ head. The tattoo was no longer visible. Despite her attempts to comply with the previous and updated tattoo policies, Adams says she was fired the day that photo was taken.
“Definitely blindsided, I never thought it would come to this, especially considering I was in compliance. I’m not necessarily out here trying to be disobedient and I’m not breaking any laws or anything like that, it’s just a tattoo,” said Adams. “What’s behind me shouldn’t affect the work that’s in front of me.”
In a written statement provided to News 5, Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste wrote “I can confirm a former firefighter was terminated earlier this year (2022) during their working test period for failing to meet MFRD standards.”
The working test period is six months. Adams says hers was extended by an additional six months.
News 5 asked if any other currently serving Mobile firefighters had tattoos that violated department policy. “Yes,” said the Mobile City Spokesperson, explaining that at least one firefighter has a neck tattoo; he was not being terminated for policy violation, but, instead was being allowed to cover the tattoo until its required removal.
Adams believes she was fired, not just because of her head tattoo and her hair, but because she spoke up about things she experienced and observed during her time as a trainee and new firefighter.
“How else would I supposed to feel, you know, especially coming to work every day on time, doing exactly what I was supposed to do, trying to go above and beyond, helping out where I can, what else, what I could assume,” said Adams.
Adams says she filed one grievance about the tattoo complaint against her.
Adams says she also observed and then filed two complaints, each describing multiple instances of what she says was harassment and antagonization, including what she describes sexist statements by two male firefighters at her station. She alleges one male firefighter repeatedly made disparaging remarks about “feminism and women’s rights.”
“Statements in regard to, you know, I don’t want to work with women,” said Adams. “It just, it definitely impacts you.”
Her termination for the tattoo came just days before Adams expected to get a response on the grievance she filed in response to the complaint about her hair.
Though she did not file a formal complaint, Adams says she also witnessed and “spoke up about” what she called a disturbing incident at the training academy.
“It was rope week and a decent amount of people and the other half of the classroom were discussing, trying to tie nooses.” said Adams. “And, you know, instinctively, I guess I just kind of stood up and said, ‘you know, if you want to learn how to do that, I think that it’s best you do that on your free time’.”
Adams says she confided in two fire captains at her station, Captain Jason Craig and Captain Rodrick Shoots, about her concerns.
Adams, Shoots, and Craig are members of the Black Progressive Firefighters Association.
“Without them, I don’t know how bad it could’ve been. You know I’ve had people yelling at me in my face, and me as a woman and these being men,” said Adams. “I just, I don’t know what would’ve happened if they weren’t there for me. So, it is good that I had people in my corner, willing to stand up for me and you know, have my best interests at heart.”
Man arrested, charged in Paparazzi Club shooting, Walmart shooting and armed home invasion: Mobile Police Adams says Captain Shoots and Captain Craig were both disciplined after they spoke up to defend her on several occasions during the process of dealing with the complaints against her about the tattoo on her head. Captain Jason Craig was suspended. Captain Rodrick Shoots was fired.
In a written statement, Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste said Shoots was terminated for “attempting to obstruct a valid order from a superior officer, ignoring orders and using disrespectful and defiant language to a superior officer.” And, Craig was suspended for 30 days for “insubordination, failure to follow orders from a superior officer and failure to investigate, document and report a violation of MFRD policy.”
Captain Shoots will appeal his termination during a hearing scheduled for January 17, 2023.
Captain Craig will appeal his suspension during a hearing scheduled for January 19, 2023.
Adams has filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against the department.
Through a spokesperson, Mobile Fire Chief Jeremy Lami and Mayor Sandy Stimpson refused requests for on-camera interviews about the disciplinary actions taken against the three firefighters, saying these are personnel matters subject to litigation.
At Home Depot, we’d get a new person, and after they got the first paycheck, the next Monday they’d be in the break room showing off a new tattoo. Saw that numerous times.
Are you one of those judgemental types Jesus warned against?
Try reading it for yourself before you ask innocuous questions.
It has been nearly impossible to terminate a black woman, even one on probation from a fire department for decades. I have firsthand knowledge of this. The tattoo was just the tip of the iceberg.
If the next ‘fad’ is the mark, I don’t want to be around for that.
You sure do seem to be judging us. Now you are trying to duck it.
Amen
I think the tattoo is hideous but I see no reason to fire her over it!!!
And, the fact that every place one may be one can see tattoos on any number of individuals.
So, if what is in the Bible meant anything and people read what is in it, then these individuals might have had second thoughts about being marked for life.
That and the death & resurrection of life changed the Old Testament laws entirely. Don’t mar your body, and sacrifice goats and sheep to God. But when Christ became the ultimate sacrifice, the only way to Heaven is through Him. Whether you eat pork, cut the sides of your hair or have tattoos doesn’t matter after Christ’s sacrifice.
“...the only tattoo that makes any sense to have is “Mom’”.
There was a girl who had a “W” tattooed on each butt cheek. When she bent over it said “WoW”. On mother’s day she stood on her head.
I had a small tattoo on my forearm & got tired of wearing long sleeves so I went to a dermatologist who recommend cutting it out. Took two sessions & cost $500. The tattoo was 1.5” x 3”
The doctor said don’t waste my $$ on laser since there are no standards for ink or depth of applying tattoos. Imagine cost for a tattoo of significance. With those, they put a balloon under the skin, inflate to stretch and then cut it out & start the process over again.
I think we could make millions developing skin toned tatoo ink.
Just match the ink color to the pigmentation of the skin and cover the tattoo.
Gotta be better than laser or that scary mess you described......sheeesh.
I’ll take no tattoos for $100 Alex. 👍
I’ve never regretted not doing that to myself
See how that works?
I can see lots of reasons to fire her. She shows an extreme lack of good sense and judgment. Do we really want someone as foolish as this to be on call to provide us with immediate emergency assistance? I think not.
I wonder, also, if she was fired for this reason because they could make it stick. Because the real reason she was fired was for being a typical incompetent ABF with an attitude.
I must be part of the 50% that don't regret it. I have 15 tats, all above the sleeve line and hidden because of douchebags that won't hire based on experience, but whether or not you got tattoos. Worked one job where the boss found out I had tats after I had been there 2 years. Pretty funny when he found out, as I had learned his disdain for them. Didn't get fired, though. Funny how someone reacts when they have no clue what they talking about vs when they see the person is truly an asset to the company based on their experience and work ethic.
I'd say the non-tatted folks are the freaks now, with as prevalent as ink is.
You bet, those who refuse to become human chalk boards are the few. Trying to imagine what it’s like starring at the same s**t on my arm for life...
I was making a uneducated guess, mostly based on people I know with tats, and trucker chatter, either on the CB, or in truckstops.
I do know this: It was early fall when I met my wife (she was 20, me 23). In NW IL we still had some warm daytime weather into early October. If on one those next couple weekends I’d had shown up at her family’s house in a shortsleeve shirt, with tats dominating my arms, she’d very likely have dumped me. She was (and still is at 65) a doll, was a late bloomer, and was starting attract a LOT of attention. (And can that woman cook!)
Besides that, her dad could’ve passed as a younger brother of John Wayne (similar voice and walk too). Big tats on chest and/or arms and he’d have told me to get lost.
And my mom? That same coverage, and I’d have made her cry.
Every one of my tats has a very specific and, usually, special meaning to me. I’ve got my kids’ names and a few other of my own design. Every time I look at them, I see the memories and the meaning, so it don’t bother me one whit to see them over and over.
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