- 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.
I just wanted to share a few thoughts I had about these specific items.
First, a diversity and inclusion merit badge, required for the Eagle rank, is probably a good thing. I'll be interested to see the requirements and how it turns out.
Second, I'm kind of surprised that some sort of diversity and inclusion training hasn't already been required for BSA employees. There was a diversity and inclusiveness section in Wood Badge since at least the year 2000. Participants have been instructed to make one of their goals focus on diversity. A required volunteer diversity training is probably also good.
I think actions 2 and 4 are pretty closely related. Reviewing elements of programs and property names, events, insignia, etc. will be a good thing. My first thought when reading these, however, had nothing to do with the Confederate flag or Civil War related people/places. I'm in Utah, where that doesn't have a major presence. While I recognize that the spark for this idea comes from recent events revolving around racism toward the black community, I don't see much of those issues in the BSA. Certainly, let's take the time to identify and eliminate whatever we need to there. But my first thought on these two points was about all the Native American stuff in Scouting.
There have been lots of people who have written about issues with the BSA and Native Americans. Here are a just a few:
I recognize the historical side of Native American lore in the BSA. I think folks like Seton and Baden-Powell genuinely saw aspects of various native cultures as admirable and wanted to include certain things in Scouting for the benefit of boys from their own culture. At the same time, they held other views that we would see today as problematic. We should acknowledge that history, both the good and the bad.
But we are living in a different time. What may have seemed appropriate in 1910, my not be now. I am all in favor of evaluating programs and property names, etc. and making adjustments to some of those things that are seen as offensive.
Here are some specific things I think need to be revisited. I'm sure there are others, these are just the ones that, from my experience, stood out first.
1. Beat of the Drum adventure for Bears. The Native American crafts and dance portions of this are problematic. There might be ways to make them appropriate, but "create a ceremonial song" and "create a ceremonial dance" are big problems. The BSA should work with native tribes to find ways that kids can appropriately learn about native cultures.
2. Ceremonies. Just Google "Cub Scout Ceremonies." It won't take you 2 minutes to find something with some faux Native American symbolism, props, dress, or stereotypical speech patterns. These are completely unnecessary. There are other ceremonies that can be used or created that won't cause the same offense.
3. A World of Sound adventure for Bears. Cubs are led to make approximations of three musical instruments from three different cultures, but there is very little learning about those cultures or what those instruments are for or why they might be culturally important. While this one is maybe not as offensive as other issues, I think there is plenty of room for improvement.
4. Indian Lore merit badge. This one is much better than the Cub Scout adventures, because they are actually supposed to learn about specific tribes, but there are probably things that could be improved. Making items of clothing or other things used by the tribe could be seen by some as cultural appropriation. We should be working with native tribes to make sure that these kinds of requirements lead to cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.
5. There are plenty of Native American names used in camp and even local councils. There's a lot there that may need to be changed.
6. I think the BSA should completely eliminate the Order of the Arrow. I confess, I don't really have a lot of love for the OA to begin with. Personal feelings aside, however, if the BSA is going to get serious about "promoting racial equality" and eliminating things that will lead to offense, then the OA just has to go. There's too much history there, from names, to symbols, to dances and ceremonies. I think it would be more effective to start fresh and create a brand new organization, rather than try to change every little problematic detail in the OA. I personally like the idea of a servant leader and service society like what some old Venturing leaders created in The Corps of Discovery.
Again, I realize that the origin of this whole thing was sparked from issues of racism toward the black community, not Native American cultural appropriation. That's fine. I hope the BSA takes whatever time they need to address those issues, and I look forward to those changes. But if the BSA is going to be consistent in promoting diversity and inclusion, then we also need to take time to address issues with other minority groups, which issues are much more widespread and systemic within the BSA.
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