The Dramatic and Public Failure of the Boys Scouts of America Leadership and Movement

Akhtar Badshah
Jul 28, 2017 · 2 min read

This week the President of the United States who is also the honorary Chair of the Boys Scouts gave his speech to the Jamboree which has created a tremendous backlash on the organization. I believe that backlash and the response from the Scout leadership misses the point.

The Boy Scout of America and its leadership failed the Movement, it was not because the President went off script and gave a political speech but it is how the 45,000 scouts responded to the speech especially the booing of President Obama who was the former leader of the movement.

What was the training to these young individuals who are supposed to be role models? Is the Boys Scouts of America developing young people of character as defined by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law? Is it ok for them to boo a former President? What does that speak about the character of the 45,000 scouts in attendance. I understand this response was in the heat of the moment but isn't that what the training is supposed to prepare the scouts to act and respond in challenging situations and uphold the Scout Oath. In a very public setting the Jamboree and its participants failed and that to me is the unfortunate outcome of the gathering. Not the Presidents political talk. No amount of badges and other collections will make up for the fact they Scouts failed the test of character.

The leadership and the attendees must be held accountable otherwise they will show that this organization and its movement is hollow. They are no different than any other group that can be moved and swayed by a bully to respond in the most undignified way. Today it was booing tomorrow it may very well be to cause physical harm. The Scouts lost control of themselves in the most public way and they must account for it.

Akhtar Badshah

Written by

Entrepreneur, humanitarian, author, advisor, Fmr. Sr. Director, @msftcitizenship tweeting @ #CSR, #philanthropy #socnet, #youth, #Tech4Good, love travel and art

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