Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: Https://www.newsbreak.com/radaronline-561399/3753305879601-no-joke-adam-carolla-applied-to-be-a-fireman-in-l-a-before-deadly-wildfires-and-was-told-to-wait-7-years-to-test-because-he-is-white
1. Summary of the results
Adam Carolla's account of being told to wait 7 years to test for the Los Angeles Fire Department position due to being white has been consistently reported across multiple sources [1] [2]. According to his testimony, when he was 19 and living in his garage, he was informed he couldn't take the firefighter examination because he wasn't black, Hispanic, or a woman [3]. When he returned years later, he claims a woman of color who had just registered that week was able to proceed ahead of him in line [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original statement lacks crucial context about the LAFD's current diversity initiatives and reasoning:
- As of 2022, 70% of 6,500 LAFD applicants were people of color, with nearly 8% being female candidates [4]
- The department established a dedicated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Bureau in January 2023, led by Deputy Chief Stephen Gutierrez [4]
- The LA County Board of Supervisors has implemented comprehensive policies for improving diversity, including:
- More equitable hiring practices
- Creation of a DEI Committee
- Tracking of demographic data throughout hiring and retention processes [5]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The story presents a complex situation where different stakeholders have competing interests:
*Pro-DEI perspective:
- The LA County Board of Supervisors and LAFD leadership support these initiatives to improve representation and equity [4] [5]
- The establishment of formal DEI structures suggests systematic rather than arbitrary implementation
Anti-DEI perspective:*
- The Mountain States Legal Foundation argues that prioritizing diversity might compromise firefighting effectiveness [6]
- Critics frame this as an example of how DEI policies can potentially harm institutional effectiveness [3]
It's worth noting that while Carolla's personal account is consistently reported across sources [1] [2], the story is being used by various groups to either criticize or defend DEI practices, with media outlets potentially framing the narrative to align with their editorial positions on diversity initiatives.