Near the end of fire academy training, Charles and three other recruits faced what should have been a celebration. Graduation was just days away. They had passed every test—written exams, drills, state requirements. But instead of applause, they were singled out. Three Black recruits and one Hispanic recruit were told to redo their drills. The message was clear: fail, and you’re out.
This moment came to be referred to in Charles’s tale as the “Friday Setup.” It was not a performance; it was about power. The so-called “gods” in the department desired power over who reached the end line.
Charles did not fold. He and his colleagues gave the drills their all. They passed—but not everyone was exempt. The Hispanic recruit was let go. The lesson was sharp: in situations against you, perfection does not always mean justice.
Nevertheless, Charles took something important with him from that yard: persistence as power. Even when the system warped the rules, he insisted. That obstinate resiliency would drive him for 30 years of service, advancing to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief in the face of infinite impediments.
The “Friday Setup” wasn’t over—it was a warning. When the ladder gets knocked, grab hold harder. Tenacity wins out over sabotage every time.
