There are a lot of silly criticism made in the name of inclusion (see Amputee Actress Criticizes The Rock for Playing an Amputee and UK Government: Don’t Say “Pregnant Woman” Because It Offends You Know Who…). But criticizing firefighters for anything other than their ability to fight fires is a real hoot. Of course, this would come from a UCLA professor.

To succeed as a firefighter, stereotypically masculine traits like brawn and courage are simply not enough.

I'm 225 pounds. If a fire breaks out in my house and I can't leave on my own, brawn and courage are literally the only two things I care about. Also, just because I haven't gotten my editor Courtney anything for Christmas yet...

Ok, let's continue.

Firefighters also need the intellectual, social, and emotional skills required to deliver medical emergency aid, support each other through traumatic experiences, and engage intimately with the communities they serve. In short, successful firefighters embody a complex mix of skills and traits. And yet, in my research on reducing gender bias and my work conducting training on general diversity and inclusion with fire departments...

...I find that, when evaluating fit and competence, firefighters tend to default to a reductive set of traits (physical strength evaluated through strict fitness tests, for example) that serve to maintain white men’s dominance in the fire service.

I'm not sure on what planet she thinks that African American men don't have those masculine traits. Or Hispanic men. Even gay men who spend a lot of time at the gym. This claim from the author seems racially and gayly problematic. Or, maybe she needed extra money for Christmas "holiday" presents, figuring a think piece blasting white men would be easy money in the Harvard Business Review.

As for the touchy-feely crap, fire departments employ all sorts of people. Doing all sorts of jobs. That those people are specifically good at, some of which physical skills aren't as high on the requirement list.

Fighting the actual fighters? Running into a building to save someone? The top skill for that job is physical strength. If you don't think so, the next time you need saving, make sure your rescuer is emotionally strong instead of physically strong. Ask him/her/zir how it feels about global climate cooling change and/or its opinions on the patriarchy. You know, put your money where your piehole emits stupid sounds.

As for me and all other sane people: send in the warriors.

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