Boy Scouts of America: Is it appropriate to educate a 10 year-old that's soliciting funds for that kind of organization?

[Julie]

Originally Posted by J. Mason

I am in agreeance with Tapu, to take it to the BSA admin. offices.

Actually I disagree.

I believe taking it also to the parents is important. Not all parents know or understand the discrimination and the policies of the Scouts (all the Scouts).

Even today, there are parents who do not know - If we are given the opportunity to educate...GENTLY...And not with force or aggression, I believe you will find that many parents will be outraged by what information you give.

THEN - they can certainly voice their concerns on the discrimination (as well) to the BSA and GSA.

@ Tapu -- I would say this was probably the mid 90's.

Julie

[apretty]

Tapu:

If you click on the links in the original post you can read about very recent boy scout assocation-discrimination.

[apretty]

*from the article:

Now there’s this story to prove that the Boy Scouts’ homophobia isn’t gender specific.

After six years playing an active role in her son’s Boy Scout troup in Potomac Falls, Va., Denise Steele has been kicked out after another Scout’s mother discovered Steele is a lesbian.

Steele started out as a den leader for her son’s Cub Scout troop in elementary school when no one else would do it. Over the next six years, according to the Loudon Times, Steele’s son’s troop excelled at everything, winning the Blue and Gold Award — one of Scouting’s highest awards — for five years running. And when her son moved on up to the Boy Scouts, Steele moved with him.

All was fine until June this year when Steele accompanied her son and his troop on a Saturday-through-Monday camping trip. Because Steele had to work on Monday, her partner, Jackie Funk, showed up on Sunday night to pick her up. Assistant Scout Master Skip Inabinett then asked who the woman was that picked Steele up, and when she found out that Steele is a lesbian, and the woman giving her a ride was her partner, everything changed

Inabinett started with a letter to a friend of Steele’s whose son was also in the troop: “If what you said about Denise Steele being an active (homo)sexual is true, do you feel comfortable talking with her about stepping down/resigning as an ASM … as her friend, this may be an opportunity for you to share with her about Christ’s love and the need to believe that as sinners we cannot get to heaven on our own and that we need a savior.”

Inabinett then proceeded to communicate with Steele herself over the next two weeks, focusing his efforts on telling her that her “lifestyle” is a sin and, according to Funk, bullying Steele to the point of tears....

[tapu]

Originally Posted by apretty

Tapu:

If you click on the links in the original post you can read about very recent boy scout assocation-discrimination.

And if I go to the Scout meeting tonight, I can experience first-hand the diversity and inclusion in effect.

I separate the troop from the over-arching organization. It's like buying products without driving yourself crazy over whether they're green or use child labor, etc. Except that BSA at the circle level is providing something very very positive for kids.

Sidenote: I don't think explaining your position to a Boy Scout and his mother is going to do anything other than confusing and embarrassing them. Whereas, directing your disagreement to the BSA might.

[tapu]

Silence = Death, Julie? To a Boy Scout and his mother selling candy? Really?


I think that people such as those in the links, who participate and run into trouble, are the very people making headway for others like me. People lecturing scouts and parents, not so much.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by tapu

Silence = Death, Julie? To a Boy Scout and his mother selling candy? Really?

No Tapu!

That was part of my explanation to J. Mason regarding "I just see a problem with trying to tell a parent about the situation you never know what you are going to encounter."

If we stand SILENT - then I believe this is where we are headed.

Julie

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Julie

No Tapu!

That was part of my explanation to J. Mason regarding "I just see a problem with trying to tell a parent about the situation you never know what you are going to encounter."

If we stand SILENT - then I believe this is where we are headed.

Julie

I'm sorry, I don't get the difference. Taking a Silence = Death stance would mean confronting the parent, right?


Ah! You thought I meant that you were advocating SAYING it. No, I meant going at it in that way--confronting the parent.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by tapu

I'm sorry, I don't get the difference. Taking a Silence + Death stance would mean confronting the parent, right?

First of all.
It is SILENCE = DEATH
If I keep my mouth shut - Then I am supporting discrimination. Ignorance breeds Hate - Hate breeds Death. I believe this.

I believe there is a difference between confronting and discussing.
I have given my reasons to both parents of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts as to why I will not financially support their organization.

I have never been met with anger or rudeness. Most often, I have been met with surprise and sadness.

It is an awakening for the ignorant.

Julie

[The_Lady_Snow]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/us/14explorers.html

[Chancie]

I posted last year about being invited to a student's Eagle Scout ceremony.

I was incredibly flattered and moved to be invited, but

I ultimately chose not to attend because of the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy and practices.

I do know that there are some troops that have distanced themselves from BSA, and that is incredibly brave.

I don't donate to United Way, because they give money to Scouts and I have no way of knowing where the money is going.

To answer the question, I would not sign the petition but

I would not explain why unless the child asked, and then I would explain in child appropriate language.

[apretty]

Originally Posted by tapu

Silence = Death, Julie? To a Boy Scout and his mother selling candy? Really?

Silence is agreement, it's support.

I also understand what silence means, which is of course why I feel a bit compelled to open up a dialogue about how their club effects real people.

It really doesn't matter how you remove yourself from the organization--It's still Boy Scouts of America until you make it different it stays the same (discriminatory)--You could be ousted with one phone call to the association.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by apretty

It really doesn't matter how you remove yourself from the organization--It's still Boy Scouts of America until you make it different it stays the same (discriminatory)--You could be ousted with one phone call to the association.

Oh, boy, would they have their hands full then! I could really make a difference.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by tapu

Oh, boy, would they have their hands full then! I could really make a difference.

Maybe you can or already are making a difference now.
You are apparently an OUT Scout Parent.
Your troop is obviously not adhering to the rules and guidelines.

Were you aware of their stance on homosexuality?

Julie

[J. Mason]

Originally Posted by Julie

Actually I disagree.

I believe taking it also to the parents is important. Not all parents know or understand the discrimination and the policies of the Scouts (all the Scouts).

Even today, there are parents who do not know - If we are given the opportunity to educate...GENTLY...And not with force or aggression, I believe you will find that many parents will be outraged by what information you give.

THEN - they can certainly voice their concerns on the discrimination (as well) to the BSA and GSA.

@ Tapu -- I would say this was probably the mid 90's.

Julie

I just see a problem with trying to tell a parent about the situation you never know what you are going to encounter.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by J. Mason

I just see a problem with trying to tell a parent about the situation you never know what you are going to encounter.

Well...
Then those who are not comfortable with sharing information and feel they might be at risk - should not tell.

BUT - I will say this.
The end of the road to discrimination on any level, begins with risk and communication.

Look at the Black Panthers - Martin Luther King - Stonewall - Gay Liberation Army - The Suffragets - The list goes on and on.

We cannot expect people to change, if we are not willing to stand up and speak.

Remember the old ACTUP saying?

Silence = Death

It still holds true.