Dear Boy Scouts of America,
A few short weeks ago, you lent a national stage to President Trump in the sincere belief that he would give our future leaders a non-partisan, idealistic speech. You were duped. Nonetheless, many of your Scouts hooped and hollered support for President Trump’s partisan and divisive speech.
At Charlottesville, we saw legions of testosterone-fueled young men who have fallen under the psychotic spell of white supremacy. Look at the Vanguard of America, Mr. Fields’ group, and you will see clean-cut young men in white polo shirts that could rival Boy Scouts of America for its wholesome outward appeal.
I know, you don’t want to be political. You lost that pretense when you welcomed President Trump to a national stage that you set for him.
I also know that you are slow to call out hate and bigotry. It took several high-stakes lawsuits for you to welcome gay Scouts and leaders.
So, let’s live up to the ideals I learned as a Boy Scout. Call out hate and bigotry. Keep it short and simple: “The Boy Scouts of America denounces the KKK, Nazis, and related white supremacist groups.” If you remain silent, you will have taken a side.
Michael H. LeRoy
Eagle Scout & Order of the Arrow (1971)
Troop 287
Barrington, IL
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