CynicalScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) BSA's Commitment to Act Against Racial Injustice Dear Scouting family, As our country reckons with racial injustice, we all must consider our role and our failures and commit to meaningful action. The twelve points of the Scout Law that define a Scout are all important, but at this moment, we are called on to be brave. Brave means taking action because it is the right thing to do and being an upstander even when it may prompt criticism from some. We realize we have not been as brave as we should have been because, as Scouts, we must always stand for what is right and take action when the situation demands it.There is no place for racism – not in Scouting and not in our communities. Racism will not be tolerated. We condemn the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and all those who are not named but are equally important. We hear the anguish, feel the heartbreak and join the country’s resolve to do better. The Boy Scouts of America stands with Black families and the Black community because we believe that Black Lives Matter. This is not a political issue; it is a human rights issue and one we all have a duty to address. That is why, as an organization, we commit to: Introducing a specific diversity and inclusion merit badge that will be required for the rank of Eagle Scout. It will build on components within existing merit badges, including the American Cultures and Citizenship in the Community merit badges, which require Scouts to learn about and engage with other groups and cultures to increase understanding and spur positive action. Reviewing every element of our programs to ensure diversity and inclusion are engrained at every level for participants and volunteers by applying a standard that promotes racial equality and denounces racism, discrimination, inequality and injustice. Requiring diversity and inclusion training for all BSA employees starting July 1 and taking immediate action toward introducing a version for volunteers in the coming months. Conducting a review of property names, events and insignia, in partnership with local councils, to build on and enhance the organization’s nearly 30-year ban on use of the Confederate flag and to ensure that symbols of oppression are not in use today or in the future. These are our next steps but certainly not our last. We will also continue to listen more, learn more and do more to promote a culture in which every person feels that they belong, are respected, and are valued in Scouting, in their community, and across America. As a movement, we are committed to working together with our employees, volunteers, youth members, and communities so we can all become a better version of ourselves and continue to prepare young men and women to become the leaders of character our communities and our country need to heal and grow. Yours in Scouting, The Boy Scouts of America National Executive Committee Dan OwnbyNational Chair Roger MosbyPresident and CEO Scott SorrelsNational Commissioner Devang Desai Jack Furst Skip Oppenheimer Nathan Rosenberg Alison Schuler Michael Sears Thear Suzuki Brad Tilden Jim Turley Edited June 16, 2020 by CynicalScouter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Introducing a specific diversity and inclusion merit badge that will be required for the rank of Eagle Scout. YGBSM! BTW, My personal pronouns are Your Majesty, His Majesty, and His Majesty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Oh, and I missed this the first time through... "...and taking immediate action toward introducing a version for volunteers in the coming months." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mashmaster Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Does it put a timeline on for the Merit badge? My son is working on his Eagle Project now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 And this will be (or should be if equal treatment is the desired outcome) the final nail in the coffin of Native American-style regalia in the OA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, mashmaster said: Does it put a timeline on for the Merit badge? My son is working on his Eagle Project now. Mash, If implemented, it will most likely have a clause to exempt Scouts who earned, say, Life before a certain date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jameson76 Posted June 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted June 16, 2020 So... BSA has decided to change the Eagle requirements AND add a new merit badge with little or no input from volunteers. Sort of on a whim. Great move. This falls into the "let's do something even if it's not well thought out" category BSA has decided to add to the required training for volunteers with little or no input. Another great move Not saying these are necessarily poor initiatives. They wreak of knee jerk reaction and a lack of actual leadership 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CynicalScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 10 minutes ago, mashmaster said: Does it put a timeline on for the Merit badge? My son is working on his Eagle Project now. This is what they did with Cooking in 2013 When will Cooking merit badge become required to earn the Eagle Scout Award? Beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Regardless of when a Scout earned the Life rank or began working on Eagle, unless he fulfills all the requirements — with the exception of his board of review — before Jan. 1, 2014, he must earn the Cooking merit badge to become an Eagle Scout. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 4 minutes ago, Jameson76 said: Not saying these are necessarily poor initiatives. They wreak of knee jerk reaction and a lack of actual leadership They are poor initiatives. Except for #4. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jameson76 Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 7 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said: They are poor initiatives. Except for #4. I would agree Specifically I dislike the collective guilt expressed in the opening sentence As our country reckons with racial injustice, we all must consider our role and our failures and commit to meaningful action. That makes a lot of assumptions 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mashmaster Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 12 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said: They are poor initiatives. Except for #4. I disagree. I can't disagree with any of these initiatives. Discrimination is wrong on every level 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Just now, mashmaster said: Discrimination is wrong on every level Agree to that. But these moves won't address any of that. Stuff and fluff... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlyn_LeRoy Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 2. Reviewing every element of our programs to ensure diversity and inclusion are engrained at every level for participants and volunteers by applying a standard that promotes racial equality and denounces racism, discrimination*, inequality and injustice. 3. Requiring diversity and inclusion* training for all BSA employees starting July 1 and taking immediate action toward introducing a version for volunteers in the coming months. (*atheists not included) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlyn_LeRoy Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 What six are ahead of atheists? They no longer exclude gays, transexuals, girls, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InquisitiveScouter Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Just having you on...random number Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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