Buckle up because I've got another potentially unpopular episode for ya today! 
We're taking a break from COVID-19/Social Distancing/Virtual Girl Scouting discussions to talk about the current events, protests, and anti-racism movement happening both in the streets and all over social media right now.
Yes, the host of this podcast supports #BlackLivesMatter, but this is not a podcast about that. If you are looking for some good episodes about the current anti-racism movement and the ways you can personally acknowledge and challenge your own privilege and inherent biases, here are some recommended links to episodes with Black hosts and producers:
https://shuntagrant.com/what-you-can-do-about-racism/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/importance-nationwide-protests-over-george-floyds-death/id1515152489?i=1000476365582
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nikole-hannah-jones-on-george-floyd-history-systemic/id1234429850?i=1000477790377
If you're sick of this topic all over the news and social media, and you just don't want to talk about it or hear about it anymore, I urge you to hang in there with me for this episode. This is not about anything political - it's just about where Girl Scouts as an organization stands regarding all of this and how Girl Scout programming is built to engage with this subject matter, and your role and responsibility as a volunteer when it comes to handling these issues.
We're going to cover all the basic reasons why volunteers are inclined to leave this subject matter and this work out of Girl Scout meetings and events.
Here are some strategies you can start considering regarding your troop and Girl Scouts in your area immediately:

Make it a priority to diversify guest speakers, field trip options, and subject matter experts - especially Black women

Diversify your troop leadership - and where to find potential troop leaders if you have a pretty homogenous (read: white) friend group

Consider the diversity in your troop - and if there isn't any, why is that? Does your troop reflect the neighborhood you're serving? If not, why? If so, why isn't your neighborhood diverse? Where are people of other races living near you, and do they have robust Girl Scouting opportunities?

What areas of your state/council/community are underserved by Girl Scouts, and does that correspond to any patterns in racial demographics? How can you help recruiting efforts?

What media are you consuming with your troop? Do you read together, watch movies, and so on? How can you diversify this media, AND how can you help girls notice patterns in the media they're already consuming, even outside of Girl Scouts?

Have you done this year's World Thinking Day and Global Action badge activities around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Gender Equality? If not, how can you ensure that you are specifically addressing racism and race identities when implementing the program?

 
Having questions or concerns? Contact me at girlscoutpodcast@gmail.com
Have resources to share, or best practices? Contact me at girlscoutpodcast@gmail.com
Are you a woman of color - especially a Black woman - who wants to join me for a podcast episode about what we can (and need to!) do as Girl Scout volunteers to combat racism? Contact me at girlscoutpodcast@gmail.com 
 
Don't forget to visit my website at BuildingGirlsofCourage.com - and check out our brand new SHOP link! 
 
Related episodes:
Is the traditional World Thinking Day fair event Cultural Appropriation?
The State of Girl Scouts and Why Girl Scouts is Critical
GSLE Outcomes and Progression: Put the Outcomes into Practice