By Leon Kwasi Kuntuo-Asare
In America, the mask of institutional authority often slips to reveal the deep-seated hatred festering within the individuals sworn to protect our communities. In a stark reminder of the everyday violence Black people navigate, former suburban Philadelphia assistant fire chief John Romano, 48, has been convicted of ethnic intimidation, harassment, disorderly conduct, and terroristic threats following a bench trial in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The racist encounter took place in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, when Romano was using a forklift to load trees, blocking traffic on Hook Road. When a Black woman attempted to drive around the obstruction alongside other motorists, Romano singled her out, unleashing a barrage of hateful and racist verbage, and threats. He photographed her license plate, threatened to track down her home, and flexed supposed law enforcement ties to have her car towed.
The hate-filled speech did not stop on the public street. During an interview with police investigators, Romano admitted using the N-word and openly dehumanized Black people, telling officers that he believed “they are all animals” and that he was “tired of dealing with them.” While he later attempted to walk back parts of his confession, prosecutors confirmed his revised remarks still equated Black human beings to wild beasts.
As Sharon Hill Council President Tanya Allen rightly emphasized after Romano’s suspension:
“Our community and our neighbors deserve to feel comfort and safety when thinking about a first responder coming and what perspective that person has of them.”
When white supremacy infects public servants entrusted with emergency response, it is an urgent public safety crisis. How many times have Black lives hung in the balance while individuals holding these exact sentiments decided our fate?
While Darby Township Police Chief Mike Sousa stated that authorities “will not tolerate this type of behavior… without a consequence,” true accountability requires uprooting this mindset from every level of civic service.
Romano is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28. Our communities will be watching.
For Additional Information Use Link Below:
‘They Are All Animals’: Philadelphia Assistant Fire Chief Unleashes Racist Tirade on Black Woman, Threatens to Find Her Home. Now He’s Paying the Price
Leave a Reply