I was a Scout once

When I was eight years old or so I was a Cub Scout. Wearing that blue and yellow necktie/sash arrangement, complete with its distinguished wolf-imprint sliding clasp identified me as a special kid, a standout among my peers, a member of an elite group that represented certain values and beliefs. I recited the Scout code at every Cub meeting I attended with my fellow Scouts. I promised to “obey the law of the pack.” That law was simple: The Cub Scout follows ‘Akela.’ The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill. Having no earthly idea what ‘Akela’ meant, but agreeing that it sounded pretty cool in any case I chanted the oath with gusto, my hand over my heart like a young crusader. It felt good. Either the altruistic impulse, or the acceptance by other members, it just felt good to be there and participate.
Lately the Boy Scouts of America organization has come under fire for discriminating against LGBT young people. Though the BSA has lifted a long-time ban against gays participating in Scouting activities, which is a step in the right direction, the BSA has created an even more onerous policy. They allow individual troops to discern the policy at the local level. Each troop can choose to admit gay kids–or not. This is equivalent to every KFC or McDonald’s choosing whether or not to serve certain people, in other words, an awful corporate policy. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, HRC, have brought attention to this hurtful policy, demanding that it be changed to eliminate discrimination in all Scouting. (Send your own letter to the BSA here) Ending discrimination is much more in keeping with Scout values of giving goodwill. Maybe that’s what ‘Akela’ is?