In my career, and as an individual deeply committed to the principles of integrity, respect, and community service, I have always sought to champion the values that foster true leadership and positive societal change. Part of this commitment involves standing up for these values, especially when they are challenged or undermined by actions in our communities and organizations that hold significant influence over young minds and the leaders of tomorrow.
Recently, a decision made by the Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America to honor an individual whose actions and public demeanor starkly contrast with the fundamental principles of scouting has compelled me to speak out. This open letter is not just a personal expression of dismay but a call to reflection on what we, as a community and society, endorse as exemplary leadership and character.
As an Eagle Scout, the values I learned and lived by in scouting—leadership, service, integrity, and respect—have profoundly shaped my professional ethos and personal life. The decision to honor Senator Markwayne Mullin with the "God and Country Award" raises pressing questions about the alignment between the values we profess and the figures we celebrate.
Publishing this letter openly on my blog and website is driven by a belief in the power of dialogue and the importance of holding ourselves and our institutions to the highest standards of ethical conduct and moral leadership. It is a reflection of my commitment to not only advocate for positive and inclusive leadership practices but also to challenge decisions that could potentially misguide the next generation of leaders.
I invite you to read this open letter, reflect on the values it seeks to uphold, and join the conversation about the kind of leadership we want to celebrate and the legacy we wish to leave for future leaders.
This Open Letter has been sent directly to the Indian Nations Council, Chris Guthrie the Director of Development at Indian Nations Council, Chris Guthrie, and the Executive Director/Scout Executive at Indian Nations Council, Art Hawkins.
I am writing to you not just as an Eagle Scout but as a deeply concerned member of the scouting community and a citizen who believes in the fundamental values that the Boy Scouts of America have traditionally stood for. The decision to honor Senator Markwayne Mullin with the "God and Country Award" has compelled me to express my profound disappointment and disgust.
This choice strikes at the heart of what it means to be part of the Boy Scouts. The values of leadership, integrity, respect for others, and a commitment to service are what I believe define us, not just as scouts but as individuals committed to bettering our communities and ourselves. Senator Mullin's public behavior and espoused values, characterized by aggression, intolerance, and a blatant disregard for constructive dialogue, stand in stark opposition to everything the Boy Scouts have taught me.
To honor someone whose actions and rhetoric promote division, hostility, and a regression to the basest forms of conflict resolution is not only disappointing; it is profoundly damaging. It tarnishes the reputation of the Boy Scouts and, by extension, every scout and leader who has worked to embody the organization's ideals. It sends a message to our young scouts that these behaviors are acceptable, even admirable, which is a direct contradiction to the lessons of empathy, kindness, and moral courage that are foundational to our organization.
I am embarrassed and ashamed to see such a decision made by the leadership of the Indian Nations Council. This is not the scouting I know, nor is it the scouting I want future generations to know. Honoring Senator Mullin is, in my view, an active endorsement of values that are antithetical to the principles of scouting. It not only reflects poorly on the Indian Nations Council but also on the entire state of Oklahoma, reinforcing stereotypes of intolerance and aggression that many of us work tirelessly to overcome.
By recognizing Senator Mullin in this manner, we risk alienating those within our ranks who cherish the true spirit of scouting and deterring potential members who seek a community that upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct and inclusive leadership. More gravely, we risk imparting to our young scouts the message that the path of least resistance, marked by hostility and refusal to engage with differing views, is the path to honor and recognition.
I implore the leadership of the Indian Nations Council to reconsider this decision. The Boy Scouts should be a beacon of hope, leadership, and moral integrity. We should stand for the best of what humanity can offer—compassion, understanding, resilience in the face of challenges, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of ourselves and our communities.
Please, let us not diminish the legacy of the Boy Scouts of America by honoring those who embody the very antithesis of our core values. Let us instead reaffirm our dedication to building a more thoughtful, inclusive, and respectful society.
With the utmost sincerity and urgency,
Ed Schaefer
Eagle Scout