One of the Hennepin County Commissioners is calling on leadership at Hennepin Healthcare to fire three employees and demote supervisors over two incidents she says reflect a "deeply rooted" culture of systemic racism.
Commissioner Irene Fernando issued a statement in response to the discovery of multiple photos of two Hennepin Healthcare employees, including the current EMS Deputy Chief and a paramedic, in black face. Fernando called it “abhorrent”.
“Dressing in black face and treating race, ethnicity, or culture as a costume is degrading, extremely racist, and cannot be tolerated, and the employees in the photos should be fired, and supervisors who were aware of this misconduct should be disciplined and removed from leadership positions,” Fernando says.
Fernando also says it is clear there is an issue with systemic racism by Hennepin Healthcare employees and leadership.
“I sincerely apologize to the community for the repeated failures of the organization I represent. And to those who have come forward with information: I thank you for your bravery and apologize for the compounded pain you are experiencing. I will continue to advocate diligently on your behalf to ensure that Hennepin is a safe and supportive place to live, work, and receive care — especially for those who have been marginalized and overlooked by our systems for too long.”
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