Through the Eyes of An Eagle

By Logan Ueno

For as long as I could remember, my family has had a long connection to the scouting program.

My grandfather served proudly as a Scoutmaster, both my uncle and dad attained the rank of Eagle and my dad remained active as he had overseen me attain the rank of Eagle, and now encourages my sisters to follow in the footsteps of attaining the Eagle rank.

In February 2019, Scouts BSA formally invited girls to join the Scouting program. My sisters were among the many who signed up in the first week to join. Before girls were allowed to join, my dad reached out to the OCBC youth program to see if they would allow a new scouting program to coexist between Boy Scout Troop 578 and the Girl Scout Program.

I started at OCBC as a tiger cub and eventually began attending service and Dharma school until I graduated from high school. The youth programs they had were very strong and supported various organizations such as Boy Scouts, Jr. YBA, Sangha Teens, taiko, and SEYO sports. I had grown up through these various organizations and the highest pinnacle was attaining the rank of Eagle through T578 and served as the Southern District Jr. YBL Religious Chair. These organizations have helped shape my character and who I am today.

So, when my dad was looking for a place to start a troop, OCBC was on the top of the list due to our family growing up there and all the support and friendship created throughout the years. However, during the discussions with the youth board, it went from figuring out how it might become a reality to ending the possibility of ever having a girl's troop formed. Their reasoning behind not having a female scout troop was due to the amount of influence that the OCBC Girl Scouts and past Committee Chair of Troop 578 had over the youth board, who would do anything to protect their interests. With both of these organizations saying no, they immediately shut down any negotiations to have a female youth troop.

Though there might be some complications that would need to be addressed, denying sisters who have seen their brother go through the process and learn is simply unjustifiable. How do we claim to be Buddhist when we are against the idea “that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible” (Buddhism at a Glance), but become hypocritical about letting girls join the scouting program to expand their knowledge and life skills?

As a Buddhist and as an Eagle Scout, I am deeply ashamed by what OCBC has done because there is no alternative for those who want something more than Girl Scouts. The experiences and skills that you learn in scouting are so much more than what other organizations may offer in terms of leadership and knowledge. My sisters have found a troop that is supportive and as I have watched them grow, though they do not want to admit it, they have learned valuable skills and have become stronger leaders ready to take on new challenges.

From a Buddhist perspective, this verse from ‘The Golden Chain,’ “May I be kind and gentle to every little thing and protect all who are weaker than myself” is empowering and moving especially in today’s geopolitical climate.

As we strive to become a better society, we must make monumental changes that empowers equality for all and push for nonconformity.

We must not condone the ideas of others who want the best for their children and are speaking out wanting a seat at the table. OCBC claims that they are diverse and accepting, but with the rejection of having a female scout troop, it shows that they are open and accepting in name only. Those on the youth board want you to choose between and adhere to either Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts with no exceptions. The Youth Board of OCBC should be committed to doing what is best for the youth and not serving as a platform for adults to be pushing their own agenda.

As we set sail into a new decade with new generations of kids, we must consider having the youth’s voices represented. I have seen the impact of having a student’s voice on other matters when sitting in meetings with faculty and discussing issues. The faculty views the student voice as important and will weigh it when making their decision on an item. By having a youthful voice on the youth board at OCBC, there will be more of a thoughtful discussion when making decisions that can be beneficial towards newer generations for years to come. I would like to quote Shirley Chisholm, who was the first African American woman elected to Congress: “if they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”