I think this thread comes off as sort of racist, at the very least its a bit tone deaf. I think parents of all colors have for far too long made themselves the priority instead of parenting their kids, its an epidemic that reaches far beyond skin color.
You older guys need to learn. You use it as part of normal discourse, you dont change up your discourse to use as many as possible.
Yeah, all you have to do for poverty-stricken kids who have a system of oppression working against them is give them activities! Thatll fix it! Its funny how white people seem to think they have all the answers for a group of people whos shoes theyll never come close to walking in. "Black-on-black crime is most prevelant"... yet you blame that on the black community. You realize there's a correlation between poverty and crime, right? So put the pieces of the puzzle together and then you may find your starting point...
I get it that many of you think I don't "get it." That said, I do have a heart for the less fortunate. My father (rest his soul), a pastor, spent the better part of 30 years ministering in the so-called black community of North Portland...beginning in the late-60's, early 70's, when you'd drive down Vancouver and Williams Avenues and see steel bars, etc. across most of the windows. The church was on N. Wygant & Vancouver Ave. We're talkin' the era of the LA Watts riots, Martin Luther King's assassination, and otherwise general racial mayhem across most of the country. My dad's calling was racial reconciliation and he did a fine job of fulfilling that call on his life. In fact, at his funeral/memorial in 2016, the building was full of many of those black folks that gave tearful testimony of what he had meant to them, and the tremendous impact he had in and on their lives. They loved him, and he loved them. Back in the day, I was the only little white kid at that church. I'll have to admit, it was a very difficult time for me, as a number of the other kids - particularly, girls - would verbally abuse me. I even got spit on once. Even though it was a church environment, kids will still do mean things. It was too much for me to bear at the time, and I quit going to church with my parents. On Sunday mornings, I'd just stay home or go up to the neighborhood bowling alley and hang out. I was 13. Although, I will have to say that I had great relationships with virtually all the parents at the church, and still have a few connections in that regard. It was sad (and now that I think of it, kinda weird) that my only relationship issues stemmed from those 10-12 year old girls. That all said, and I guess the greater point, the church did have a teen center which my father helped establish. I used to love going there on Saturdays and summer weekdays and hang out with the older kids that dropped by. I really enjoyed that experience. Again, even though I was the only white boy, the older teens kinda took me under their wings. It was a cool experience all the way around. Racial discord was erupting all around us (and nationally), and here I was playing ping-pong, chess/checkers, and the like with my black friends. I suppose we kinda scoffed at all that other garbage. I could share many other stories, but, suffice it say my father took big risks driving this pasty white family down the streets of NoPo every week. Was my dad all that? Not necessarily, However, the deal was, he cared and took steps to help find solutions to to these social issues. Granted, we're talking a small sampling of the community at large, but he still made a difference for the better in a number of people's lives. By the way, some of those same "kids" gave testimony at his memorial service. Kids become adults, parents, and the like. Good place to start IMO.
You should listen to this. Not long but it is very good. https://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/the-vanport-flood.htm
On one hand, I partially agree with him that giving activities and structure is important to many kids. It doesn't "fix" the problem, do any of us get upset when people help build libraries, or parks, or rec centers and say they're trying to help? Starting somewhere is a good idea. I would never claim to have all the answers for anything, but at the same time if white people are going to be part of the answer, then actively trying to help is a good idea. Poverty is an issue that goes beyond skin tones too. My only issue is saying, "oh black males need to be better dads!", when really parents everywhere need to be better.
I understand. Black children are at a seeming disadvantage, though. I remember when one of Hillary Clinton's mantras was, "It takes a Village." There is a certain amount of truth in that. https://rnbphilly.com/2585634/whos-your-daddy-absent-black-fathers/
I didn't see Rodney in the title......could be a thread about Robin Hood,,,,could be a thread about street gangs...
They've got to get over two things: 1. The pedophilia thing; 2. The exclusion of members because of their sexual orientation and their religious beliefs. These two problems have no place in proper scouting. Problem no. 1 is self evident. Problem 2 has to do with you won't convert any members to Christianity by excluding non Christians, hence it's counterproductive. Also, there are good people of all faiths and we shouldn't exclude them from participating in life. I think the best approach to converting to Christianity is by showing acts of kindness and gently helping those who seek help in converting. Otherwise, waiting and living a good life is a great example to set. Lastly, I think exclusion is one of the worst examples to set.
While sexual orientation and religious beliefs were a part of scouting for most of its history, according to their membership policies they are not applicable anymore. https://www.scouting.org/about/membership-standards/
