It’s time for Boy Scouts of America to say that Black Lives Matter

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Update: On June 15, 2020, Boy Scouts of America issued a statement in which it stated: “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.”

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has a long history of being late to the party when it comes to social justice issues. Nobody was more surprised than me and my hippie husband when we helped launch a Cub Scout pack in Castro Valley when our son was in first grade.

It was exciting to start a pack from the ground up, creating an inclusive, diverse, community-based experience for our son that was aligned with our values and had the incredible structure and support of our local Bay Area council. I’ve spent hundreds of hours as committee chair, den leader and super involved parent. And while I don’t personally subscribe to all of the BSA traditions, the heart and soul of our cub pack is in the potlucks, the pinewood derby races and the camping trips that bond our families to the common goal of friendship, acceptance and love. 

That’s why it breaks my heart to say, “I quit.” The BSA’s silence on Black Lives Matter is a deal breaker for me.

Before I got to this point, I did my homework.

Upon request, BSA will send you a link to their official statement, which makes no mention of black lives and only reinforces the generic, unhelpful approach that keeps us stuck in a racist mess of political inaction and white privildge.  Just google “boy scouts of america statement on black lives matter” and you’ll only find one semi-relevant resource — the United Kingdom’s official scout statement (read it, it’s really good). 

My short-term solution is to just walk away from BSA, taking my money, my votes and a few of my friends with me, but as my son pointed out, “Mom, I thought you said silence was violence? I thought if someone is being a bully, you have to speak up, not walk away?” How’s that for a call to action?

For every black person and every other person of color who lives in fear of police brutality and the incalculable, racial injustices you face, my son and I stand with you now – we will not be silent. 

As a parent educator (professionally) and a parent of three boys (they don’t pay me for that), I spend a lot of time thinking about what we can do now to influence the next generation of adults who will run the show. Year after year, the BSA influences the next generation of politicians, soldiers, police officers, fire-fighters and other service-oriented positions that hold authority. With its 2.3 million youth participants, they are well positioned to shift this conversation and make a meaningful difference in the way people use their power and privilege.  

While making drastic changes to an organization is more of a marathon than a sprint, many other organizations are at least signing up for the run. I know, those organizations aren’t living under the same dark cloud of bankruptcy, scandals, homophobia and declining membership, but that’s all the more reason for BSA to do the right thing, right now.

Just issue a statement that doesn’t skirt the issue and take a stand, say George Floyd’s name, say Black Lives Matter, and join the anti-racism movement. 

This is not an impossible ask. The BSA already has a diversity and inclusion statement and an office to go with it. They have an Asian Pacific workforce group as well as resource groups for Latinos and Women, not to mention a partnership with the mentoring organization 100 Black Men of America. In the last 10 years, Boy Scouts of America has turned many corners. They’ve repealed their ban on openly gay youth and leaders, allowed girls to be Scouts, and adopted a bullying awareness program.

Hey BSA, let’s turn this corner too! It’s not that hard. Your stated mission is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices…”

Take a stand and be a role model by issuing a clear and inspiring statement that black lives matter and create a zero tolerance policy on racism. It’s not controversial unless you make it so. It’s not a hard ethical or moral choice to make, and it’s completely in line with your oath to help others at all times, stay mentally awake and morally straight. Follow your own mottos. “Be prepared” and “Do your best.” 

Actions you can take

  1. Share this post (or write your own) on social media with hashtag #BSAforBLM
  2. Sign this petition
  3. Join our Zoom meeting for scout leaders and parents on June 15.
  4. Call Boys Scouts of America at 972-580-2000 to let them know what you think.
  5. Email pr@scouting.org to voice your concerns. 
  6. Post a photo of your scout or yourself in uniform holding a sign that says Black Lives Matter and use the hashtag #BSAforBLM 

Thank you Rachel, for voicing these concerns on behalf of our community. The points you raised are critical; not only as we think of modeling behaviors for our children, but also in the broader context of BSA being a key organization that launches young people into law enforcement and other civil service careers. I love the experiences and community that our Cub Scout pack has built for our family, and I hope to see BSA take a stand and acknowledge this call to action soon.

I think you are doing the right things to advocate for change in this 100-year old institution. I am proud to see the relatively rapid changes made in the last few years, especially as more conservative charter organizations and their board members have left Scouting, and have no reason to think positive change will not continue.

All leaders must obey by the Code of Conduct (https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/bsa-scouter-code-of-conduct/). I have personally removed adult leaders from my unit that did not meet these requirements, including “Bullying, hazing, harassment, and unlawful discrimination of any kind”.

I think organizations like BSA, like the ACLU, were founded in different times with an older early 20th century sense of liberalist, progressive values, and are struggling to adapt to more activist expectations of today. We support the ACLU when they are protecting minorities from police oppression, but find it extremely difficult when they’re defending neo-Nazi’s right to free speech. And yet both are free speech, though in an older, different sense of the term.

I think it would be hard to argue with evidence that the BSA today is a systematically racist institution, but as a volunteer organization, it is made up by many people that I agree with and some whose values are truly awful. Many of those have thankfully already left as BSA has adopted more progressive policies.

Anyhow, keep up the good fight. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

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 Ownby
National Chair
Roger Mosby
President and CEO
Scott Sorrels
National Commissioner
Devang Desai
Jack Furst
Skip Oppenheimer
Nathan Rosenberg
Alison Schuler
Michael Sears
Thear Suzuki
Brad Tilden
Jim Turley

The BSA openly discriminates against and excludes the non-religious. Considering this, it is impossible to accept the BSA’s claim that they “promote a culture in which every person feels that they belong, are respected, and are valued in Scouting, in their community, and across America.”

I recognize that the BSA, as a private organization, has the right to discriminate against atheists and agnostics. But so long as they continue this policy, their claim that they denounce discrimination and inequality must be disregarded.

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