Jump to content

Mic o say article


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 37
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Posts

My issue with the scout uniform is that it is outdated, does not align with function, and is of poor value and quality -- all problems that are related to the fact that its development has been driven

Yeah, my uncles and aunts would throw their weight around as well. As individuals, even though they were fully dressed, it was not a great look, but ensemble ... truly beautiful. (Yes, even a conserva

This issue will not go away.  Though I don't see the harm and I could easily counter-argue from many directions, it's non-productive.  Society has changed.  Kids don't watch cowboy and Indian movies a

This part gets to me:

Blaise, an author and an illustrator who lives in Arkansas, called out the organization In a blog post on Medium last year for allowing white people to imitate Native Americans.

“Who asked the BSA to ‘preserve’ Native American traditions, and why can’t Native peoples do that for themselves?” she wrote. “Dancing, donning Native regalia, or utilizing sacred symbols (like Eagle feathers or sacred pipes) are not things that should be divorced from their particular tribal reality and religious meaning.”

She obviously does not know the history BSA, OA, and I assume Mic-O-Say, have had. Long story short, when the OA and Mic-O-Say were created, it was illegal for Native Americans to practice their religion and culture. They either went underground, or used the OA as a means of preserving. More on this later

 
 
  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

This issue will not go away.  Though I don't see the harm and I could easily counter-argue from many directions, it's non-productive.  Society has changed.  Kids don't watch cowboy and Indian movies anymore.  Whole generations are losing connections to our past.  ... The key problem is protesters will always be using BSA to prove their point at BSA's expense.    .... IMHO ... We can come up with our own ceremonies that are just meaningful without using Indian lore.  ... Sadly, our scouts will lose out by being less aware of our countries Indian past, but so be it.  

 

 

  • Upvote 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

When I was a kid I was fascinated by Indians. I loved Westerns. I spent hours looking for arrowheads. I wanted a Mustang. I completely get the sense of wonder and nostalgia and tradition. However, I think it's past time to let things like this go. Kids today are not much interested in it and few parents today are going to look at that aspect of BSA and think, gee, that's what I want my kid to be doing. Most that I know find it cringe worthy. We've had a drop off of interest in OA partly because of it. 

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

There are several local troops that do very meaningful ceremonies.  Lights are dimmed.  Candles are lit.  Words of reflection are spoken.  IMHO, that's exactly what an OA ceremony should be.  Sadly, the rest is out of place in today's society.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Are X people allowed to imitate Y people?  Yes, but you need to pick your battles, time and place.   Protesters have chosen to make BSA's practices a public issue.  IMHO, this is not a battle we want.  

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
11 minutes ago, fred8033 said:

Are X people allowed to imitate Y people?  Yes, but you need to pick your battles, time and place.   Protesters have chosen to make BSA's practices a public issue.  IMHO, this is not a battle we want.  

 

Which protestors? and under whose authority?

As an Arab American, I might encourage you all to appropriate my culture. There's a mom in my troop who is a belly dance instructor. She can bring you all up to speed. But if another Syrian (say Bashar al-Assad) protests, it's him versus me and that scout mom. Whose wishes would you regard?

  • Upvote 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
10 hours ago, TAHAWK said:

Are X people allowed to imitate Y people?

While imitating people's cultures might be confused with mimicry or mocking, imitating people's worthy actions should be safe & heralded.

I love the opportunity to quote Gen. Washington, especially in prayer:

"... that God would have you ... in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens ... to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, ... and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation."

  • Upvote 2
Link to post
Share on other sites
10 hours ago, qwazse said:

Which protestors? and under whose authority?

As an Arab American, I might encourage you all to appropriate my culture. There's a mom in my troop who is a belly dance instructor. She can bring you all up to speed. But if another Syrian (say Bashar al-Assad) protests, it's him versus me and that scout mom. Whose wishes would you regard?

The sight of me belly dancing would instantly show the flaw in your argument.  EVERYONE would protest!

 

  • Haha 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Sadly, this is less about right or wrong.  It's about avoiding bad marketing and focusing on the value of the program.  The reason to keep is more tradition.  BSA can do fine with a different style of ceremony and leave the Indian lore behind. 

For me ... I'm German and Catholic.  I get offended by the Packers cultural appropriation of cheese and beer.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...