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terms you use  to refute the value of the MB are "feel good requirement" and " no challenge."    The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  Its vision to make people good citizens.  Understanding people makes them good citizens.  It does not need to be hard, but knowing how it see others from thier point of view is a mature and effective tool to be a good citizen.   You think there are no answers to the terms and that they can make you Racist.  There are definitions.  They are in the training that the MB Counselors have to take:   Key definitions included in the materials: Identities: Traits that make up who a person is, including race, gender, age, religion, and ability. Diversity: The presence of a wide range of individual identities. Equality: The state of having equal status, rights, and opportunities. Equity: Providing resources tailored to individuals to ensure fair access to opportunities. Inclusion: Active efforts to create a sense of belonging and participation for all individuals. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people. If a scout does not understand them, then we talk about them.  Maybe you can explain now they are racist.   

Can we also just put it into perspective that this is a whole lot more than a merit badge discontinuation, and today's news effectively kicks many trans kids out of Scouting America?  Trans kids now have to choose between switching to a troop that aligns with their birth gender or joining a coed troop, if one exists in their area.  If a coed troop isn't available to them, and they don't wish to join a troop that doesn't align with their gender identity, they're effectively kicked out.  This is awful. 

So you want to kick all the girls out?  Maybe you'll get your wish. Scouting America bent the knee and now we can only wait and see how they'll pay for it. Today's demands aren't the end of the list for Hegseth, and Scouting America showing this kind of weakness only opens the door for him to demand more and more and expect to get his way.  I guess when that happens, we'll see if there is any bravery left in that building in Irving. 

I can read this two ways.  The first is one where you are both condescending and dismissive.  It is at best patronizing.  It tries to shut down any conversation by dismissing my comments, implying I do not know what I am talking about and pretty much "shut up and color.     Yet you include: ""A Scout is courteous.  A Scout is polite to people of all ages and positions.  He understands that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.  Being courteous shows that you are aware of the feelings of others. ..."  "A Scout is kind.  A Scout treats others as he wants to be treated.  He knows there is strength in being gentle.  He does not harm or kill any living thing without good reason.  Kindness is a sign of true strength.  To be kind, you must look beyond yourself, and try to understand the needs of others.  Take time to listen to people and imagine being in their place.  Extending kindness to those around you and having compassion for all people is a powerful agent of change to a more peaceful world." Should I write a response in the same manner that you did.  Should I imply that you know nothing about scouting and then sign of with a similar line - like "get on board or leave?"   You make a great case that Scouting America does not need a merit badge that discusses empathy, how to work with other, see things from their point of view, and how to understand what you see (or read) is not the whole story.  

The main issue was that this was another classroom badge, do it in at Merit Badge U in a few hours.  Overall it was an empty suit.  While nothing egregious against basic goals, it was not challenging and was a check the box.  Nothing to accomplish, no measurable items,  just feel good writing.  It was smoke and mirrors to say "Hey, look how progressive we are". Remember the requirements: 1. Before beginning work on other requirements for this merit badge, research the following terms and explain to your counselor how you feel they relate to the Scout Oath and Scout Law: identities, diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, discrimination, ethical leadership, and upstander. Lot of buzz words here, no real meat or challenge, no actual answers, and if challenged one might be cast as racist or worse (not sure there is worse)   2. Document and discuss with your counselor what leadership means to you. Share what it means to make ethical decisions. (a) Research and share with your counselor an individual you feel has demonstrated positive leadership while having to make an ethical decision. (It could be someone in history, a family member, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, a clergy member, a Scoutmaster, etc.) (b) Explain what decision and/or options that leader had, why you believe they chose their final course of action, and the outcome of that action More here, but lot of feel and again, no real challenge here, it is basic writing and rote answers   3. Consider ethical decision-making. (a) Think about a time you faced an ethical decision. Discuss the situation, what you did, and how it made you feel. Share if you would do anything differently in the future and if so, what that would be. (b) List three examples of ethical decisions you might have to make in the future at school, at home, in the workplace, or in your community, and what you would do. Share how your actions represent alignment with the Scout Oath and Scout Law. (c) Explain to your counselor how you plan to use what you have learned to assist you when that time comes, and what action(s) you can take to serve as an upstander and help other people at all times. Again, lots of touchy feely - feel good stuff , but as with all the requirements, no real challenge here, it is basic writing and rote answers.  I am sure the ChatGPT answers were great   4. Repeat the Scout Oath and Scout Law for your counselor. Choose TWO of the following scenarios and discuss what you could do as a Scout to demonstrate leadership and your understanding of what it means to help others who may seem different from you: (a) Scenario 1: While at camp, a youth accidentally spills food on another camper. The camper who gets spilled on gets angry and says something that is offensive to people with disabilities; their friends laugh. What could/should you do? (b) Scenario 2: Your friend confides in you that some students in school are making insulting comments about one of their identities, and that those same students created a fake social media account to impersonate your friend online and post messages. What could/should you do? (c) Scenario 3: A new student in your class was born in another country (or has a parent who was born in another country). Your friends make rude comments to the student about their speech or clothes and tell the student to "go back home where you came from." What could/should you do? This is a basic HR opinion test recycled or really bad training video out take, not overtly terrible, but if this is our core mission, these items could be included in other existing merit badges   5. Document and discuss: (a) Ideas on what you personally can do to create a welcoming environment in your Scouting unit. (b) An experience you had in which you went out of your way to include another Scout(s) and what you did to make them feel included and welcomed. (c) Things you can do to help ensure all Scouts in your unit are given an opportunity to be heard and included in decision-making and planning. Not a terrible requirement, but again, could be included in other existing merit badges   6. With your parent or guardian's approval, connect with another Scout or youth your own age who has an identity that's different from yours. (This means a trait, belief, or characteristic different from you.) (a) Share with each other what makes the different aspects of your identity meaningful/special to you (b) Share with each other ONE of the following options: (1) Option 1—A time you felt excluded from a group: What was the situation? How did it make you feel? What did you do? Did anyone stand up for you? What did you learn? Would you do anything differently today? (2) Option 2—This imaginary situation: You're attending a new school and don't know anyone there yet. You notice they dress very differently than you do. At lunchtime, you decide you'll try to sit with a group to get to know other students. People at two tables tell you there is someone sitting at the currently empty seat at their table, so you end up eating by yourself. Discuss: How would that make you feel? What could the students have done? If that happened at your school, what would you do? (c) Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the discussion with the other Scout or youth. The weakest requirement, as if used in the broad definition "who has an identity that's different from yours", basically that is anyone that is not in fact you.  We each have a unique identity.  The MB writers could not bring themselves to actually challenge Scouts to find someone of different gender, race, or nationality.     7. Identify and interview an individual in your community, school, and/or Scouting who has had a significant positive impact in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you feel your community, school, or local Scouting group does not have such an individual, then research a historical figure who meets these criteria, and discuss that person with your counselor. (a) Discover what inspired the individual, learn about the challenges they faced, and share what you feel attributed to their success (b) Discuss with your counselor what you learned and how you can apply it in your life. Self promotion and shameless support of the DEI cycle, let's applaud the program we are stoking   8. With the help of your parent or guardian, study an event that had a positive outcome on how society viewed a group of people and made them feel more welcome. Describe to your counselor the event and what you learned.   Not a terrible requirement, but again, could be included in other existing merit badges   9. Document and discuss with your counselor three or more areas in your life outside of Scouting where you feel you can actively provide stronger leadership in: (a) Making others feel included. (b) Practicing active listening. (c) Creating an environment where others feel comfortable to share their ideas and perspectives. (d) Helping others feel valued for their input and suggestions. (e) Standing up for others. A feel good requirement, no actual measurements, just self promotion and support of the DEI cycle   10. Discuss with your counselor how stereotyping people can be harmful, and how stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination. Share ideas you have for challenging assumptions and celebrating individuality.   A feel good requirement, no actual measurements or documented achievements, just self promotion and support of the DEI cycle   11. Scouting strives to develop young people to be future leaders in their workplaces, schools, and community environments. As you look at your current involvement in school, your family, Scouting, your job, and/or community, think about how you can have a positive impact in diversity, equity, and inclusion. (a) Describe your ideas on how you can and will support others with different identities to feel included and heard at your school, workplace, and/or social settings in your community. (b) Explain how including diverse thoughts and opinions from others with different identities can: Make your interactions more positive. Help everyone benefit by considering different opinions. (c) Give three examples of how limiting diverse input can be harmful. d) Give three examples of how considering diverse opinions can lead to innovation and success. As with Req 7, basic self promotion and shameless support of the DEI cycle, let's applaud the program we are stoking