Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Last September I gave a scoutmaster minute on bullying. It wasn't the first time and unfortunately it won't be the last. In it I quote Martin Luther King Jr. I told the scouts:
"Martin Luther King Jr. said: 'He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.'"
"The standards of the scout oath and law prohibit you from standing around when you see someone being bullied. If it's safe to do so you must intervene. If it's not safe to do so you must get an adult. These are your only two choices. Walking away and doing nothing is not an acceptable solution. Period. You're Boy Scouts, you've agreed to make the Scout Oath and the Scout Law part of your lives and we hold you to higher standards."
"A scout is brave. Some of you probably think bravery is running into a burning building and saving a life, something you'll get an award for. It's not. Real bravery is something you can do everyday. Real bravery is standing up to a bully knowing that you're making yourself a target. Knowing that your friends are going to call you names, maybe even ostracize you for awhile. Real bravery is helping out the kid who you may not even like. Real bravery is talking a victim into reporting what happened and going with him to report it. Real bravery is not tolerating bullying even when it's your friends who are doing it. Real bravery means telling an adult when you need to. Real bravery is doing what you know is right; always."
Two weeks later the local council and the national organization threw Ryan Andresen out of scouts because he is gay.
Two months later, on a crisp December evening before Christmas, an official Eagle Board of Review was held. Although I volunteered I was not chosen to be included as a member of the panel (curse you Bonnie Hazarabedian). However, I was touched and greatly honored when Ryan asked me to introduce him to the board.
Since I was outside waiting (actually I was pacing) with Ryan's friend and family, I can't tell you what transpired during the Board of Review. But I can tell you that it was conducted by four very well qualified and respected adult leaders and that it lasted twice as long as a "normal" Board of Review.
As is traditional, after the Board discusses the candidate privately, the candidate and his family are invited back to hear the results. As you should already know Ryan was fully endorsed for his Eagle rank. Everyone said how impressed they were with Ryan and his project.
I am very proud to be a member of the Aklan district. I am greatly impressed with all of the work Bonnie Hazarabedian, Steve Israel, and scores of other volunteers did to make this happen. We did the brave thing, we did what was right.
Unfortunately the council has failed to follow through. I think the people who run the council want to do the right thing, and I think they know what the right thing to do is, but they lack the courage. It's really, really hard to stand up to bullies, and National is carrying a very big stick.
I think eventually the Council will stand up for what is right. I think they will show the bravery we expect from our scouts.
Until they do, we need to help them find the courage by letting them know that when they finally stand up to National they will have our full support. This might include additional financial contributions, additional volunteer hours, more letters, pro-bono legal services, whatever it takes to make this change finally happen.
I have a vision. Once this policy is changed the Boy Scouts can then partner with schools, religious institutions, and other youth groups to help stop bullying. We have unique resources and we will be able to really make a difference. But we can't be a part of the solution while we are still a part of the problem. I think by battling bullying head-on will we be able to reduce the youth suicide rate. Yes, I think our program is that good, I know we can make a difference.
Anyway that's my vision for the future. What's yours?
Sincerely,
Wendell Baker
Scoutmaster - Troop 234
Moraga
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Best Regards,
Wendell Baker
(Scouts for Equality - Golden Gate)
