They Call Me Trusty

They Call Me Trusty: A Black Firefighter's Fight for Social Justice is the compelling memoir of Dudley "Trusty" Bynoe, a San Jose firefighter who dedicated his career to challenging the institutional racism entrenched in the fire service. Faced with systemic barriers, Trusty took unorthodox actions to force fire chiefs to confront inequities--for Black firefighters, other firefighters of color, and women who served the city and the diverse communities that relied on them. In his own voice, Trusty shares the importance of strategy: having a plan, reading opponents, understanding their weaknesses, and fearlessly attacking injustice from multiple angles. He mastered the rules and laws, using them as weapons in the fight for equity. Though some saw him as an "angry Black man," he was, in truth, a relentless advocate for fairness. This memoir chronicles Trusty's victories and sacrifices and reveals his deep disappointments, particularly the lack of generational reciprocity from Black firefighters who benefited from his work. His story is one of resilience, defiance, and an unyielding commitment to justice, offering an unfiltered look at the cost of change and the legacy of a man who refused to back down.