You hit it out of the park again my friend with this article....I make sure that my office and my patients know that we honor DEI in my clinic. Thank goodness for the sanity and sanctity of the written word at the Beverly Beat...
I did the same thing back in the 60s when I wanted a Native America classmate to become a member of a fraternal youth organization for guys like me. The adult members of the related fraternal organization that served as our advisory board, thought my applicant wasn't white enough, apparently, and blackballed his membership. I had just been given the highest award the organization could give a member and despite being a member of the state installation team, and coming from an entire family of similar fraternal members of the same family of organizations, I decided to make a decision.
The ring that I was supposed to wear my entire life as commemoration of receiving the award, came off my finger and went into the jewelry box (and since been lost both physically and morally). The regalia and framed certification of my receipt of the award are on a wall, but in the basement of my home.
This was a 1960s example of the DEI crap we're experiencing under the current administration -- action that TOTALLY goes against the core-values of the organization that I was so proud to be a member, but my adult mentors thought otherwise.
By the way, the kid that wasn't allowed to join was one of the school's leading athletic stars at Beverly High and a brilliant student. But, he wasn't ethnically appropriate to the advisory board of first-generation immigrants who just walked from the pier at Ellis Island, matched against the ships' manifests, and allowed into the country because the textile miles and other trades needed immigrant labor.
My father (who served on that advisory board) was disappointed that I never followed him into either of the two adult-versions of that fraternal organization, but when I explained why I was turning my back on the organization I loved so dearly, he understood and never questioned my decision.
Thanks so much for this article Paul! Our son is a Wolf Scout this year, and clearly I missed that email. We are going to have some conversations at our meeting tomorrow I guess. It is so unfortunate, because the Scouts have been so impressive in so many ways for us, in particular, the inclusive environment it has been. Unfortunately, the kids are the ones who suffer. Sounds like I need to start planning a community Pinewood Derby.
This breaks my heart, especially since my oldest Sam (now 26) was a scout for so many years and loved it. I cannot believe these times we are living in...that's all I will say about that.
I applaud your actions and teaching the importance of taking a stand. I hope Ben will be able to rejoing Scouts once this long national nightmare is over
I agree 100% that politics and Scouts should not mix. I will argue strongly that they mixed in this case back in 2020-21 when this MB launched, and ending this part of the program is correct. Please take the time to read the requirements of the merit badge AND the recommended training for councilors. If you feel that is appropriate for your 14 year old, try to understand that there are others that don’t.
A quick comment as a 2nd generation Eagle scout and current Cubmaster of Pack 4 in Beverly. This agreement is deeply disappointing to me. But Scouting has been around for 125 years and I hope will be around for another 125. The current situation is a blip in history and better things are coming. I'm not going to give up on all the good things that Scouting offers to our youth.
Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of DEFENSE, not the Secretary of War. Congress has not changed the name of the department. Stop using these dumb made-up names!
Hi Paul, while this is incredibly disappointing for many of us, Troop 4 still plans to keep many of these learnings steeped in our troop. So while I respect this article, please also share some of the amazing things scouting does day in and day out- like the 4 Eagle Scouts this past year in Troop 4 and our centennial 100 year anniversary. Sadly we have zero control over what National does- it does not preclude us from maintaining the discussions of the amazing learnings this Merit badge entails. All in all, this hurts scouting and our community.
This is a terrific piece, Paul. It makes me very sad to know that the ridiculousness occurring at the national level has impacted the lives of these families. My hope is that we find our way back to a place that honors and celebrates the diversity in our communities.
Honestly, I feel for this family... but the truth is... I gave up on Boy Scouts even before I came out as bisexual as a teenager. I saw the writing on the wall then.
Let me be clear here... I am glad that people are FINALLY reacting to this terrible change in our country's social expectations.. but the fact that so many people are acting shocked as if this is something new... that's just waking up from ignorance as far as I am concerned.
All I can say is "Hey... welcome to real life.. we have a lot of seats available but you won't be comfortable...EVER!"
Hello to you Paul
You hit it out of the park again my friend with this article....I make sure that my office and my patients know that we honor DEI in my clinic. Thank goodness for the sanity and sanctity of the written word at the Beverly Beat...
Deborah Mager
I did the same thing back in the 60s when I wanted a Native America classmate to become a member of a fraternal youth organization for guys like me. The adult members of the related fraternal organization that served as our advisory board, thought my applicant wasn't white enough, apparently, and blackballed his membership. I had just been given the highest award the organization could give a member and despite being a member of the state installation team, and coming from an entire family of similar fraternal members of the same family of organizations, I decided to make a decision.
The ring that I was supposed to wear my entire life as commemoration of receiving the award, came off my finger and went into the jewelry box (and since been lost both physically and morally). The regalia and framed certification of my receipt of the award are on a wall, but in the basement of my home.
This was a 1960s example of the DEI crap we're experiencing under the current administration -- action that TOTALLY goes against the core-values of the organization that I was so proud to be a member, but my adult mentors thought otherwise.
By the way, the kid that wasn't allowed to join was one of the school's leading athletic stars at Beverly High and a brilliant student. But, he wasn't ethnically appropriate to the advisory board of first-generation immigrants who just walked from the pier at Ellis Island, matched against the ships' manifests, and allowed into the country because the textile miles and other trades needed immigrant labor.
My father (who served on that advisory board) was disappointed that I never followed him into either of the two adult-versions of that fraternal organization, but when I explained why I was turning my back on the organization I loved so dearly, he understood and never questioned my decision.
Thanks so much for this article Paul! Our son is a Wolf Scout this year, and clearly I missed that email. We are going to have some conversations at our meeting tomorrow I guess. It is so unfortunate, because the Scouts have been so impressive in so many ways for us, in particular, the inclusive environment it has been. Unfortunately, the kids are the ones who suffer. Sounds like I need to start planning a community Pinewood Derby.
Secretary of Defense. The war part is the administration’s idea, not officially recognized. Also see Gulf of Mexico.
This breaks my heart, especially since my oldest Sam (now 26) was a scout for so many years and loved it. I cannot believe these times we are living in...that's all I will say about that.
I applaud your actions and teaching the importance of taking a stand. I hope Ben will be able to rejoing Scouts once this long national nightmare is over
I agree 100% that politics and Scouts should not mix. I will argue strongly that they mixed in this case back in 2020-21 when this MB launched, and ending this part of the program is correct. Please take the time to read the requirements of the merit badge AND the recommended training for councilors. If you feel that is appropriate for your 14 year old, try to understand that there are others that don’t.
A quick comment as a 2nd generation Eagle scout and current Cubmaster of Pack 4 in Beverly. This agreement is deeply disappointing to me. But Scouting has been around for 125 years and I hope will be around for another 125. The current situation is a blip in history and better things are coming. I'm not going to give up on all the good things that Scouting offers to our youth.
Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of DEFENSE, not the Secretary of War. Congress has not changed the name of the department. Stop using these dumb made-up names!
Hi Paul, while this is incredibly disappointing for many of us, Troop 4 still plans to keep many of these learnings steeped in our troop. So while I respect this article, please also share some of the amazing things scouting does day in and day out- like the 4 Eagle Scouts this past year in Troop 4 and our centennial 100 year anniversary. Sadly we have zero control over what National does- it does not preclude us from maintaining the discussions of the amazing learnings this Merit badge entails. All in all, this hurts scouting and our community.
This is a terrific piece, Paul. It makes me very sad to know that the ridiculousness occurring at the national level has impacted the lives of these families. My hope is that we find our way back to a place that honors and celebrates the diversity in our communities.
America the Beautiful is rapidly becoming Fascist America. 😢😢😢
Honestly, I feel for this family... but the truth is... I gave up on Boy Scouts even before I came out as bisexual as a teenager. I saw the writing on the wall then.
Let me be clear here... I am glad that people are FINALLY reacting to this terrible change in our country's social expectations.. but the fact that so many people are acting shocked as if this is something new... that's just waking up from ignorance as far as I am concerned.
All I can say is "Hey... welcome to real life.. we have a lot of seats available but you won't be comfortable...EVER!"