Extended Learning

A. Introduction

Congratulations — you have completed the Citizenship in Society merit badge. That is a serious accomplishment. You have explored big ideas, reflected on your own experiences, had honest conversations, and built a personal plan for inclusive leadership. But this badge is not the finish line — it is the starting point. The skills and awareness you have developed will serve you for the rest of your life. Here are some ways to keep growing.

B. Deep Dive: Understanding Unconscious Bias

Throughout this badge, you learned about stereotypes and prejudice. But some of the most powerful biases are the ones you do not even know you have. Psychologists call these unconscious biases (also called “implicit biases”) — automatic mental shortcuts your brain makes based on patterns it has absorbed from the world around you.

Everyone has unconscious biases. They are not a sign that you are a bad person — they are a sign that you are a human being with a brain that tries to categorize information quickly. The problem is that these shortcuts can lead you to make unfair assumptions about people without realizing it.

Here are some common types of unconscious bias:

• Affinity bias: You naturally gravitate toward people who are similar to you — same background, same interests, same appearance. This can cause you to overlook people who are different but equally valuable.
• Confirmation bias: Once you believe something about a person or group, you tend to notice evidence that supports your belief and ignore evidence that contradicts it.
• The halo effect: If you admire one thing about a person (they are athletic, for example), you may assume they are great at everything else too.
• Attribution bias: When someone from your group makes a mistake, you attribute it to circumstances. When someone from a different group makes the same mistake, you attribute it to their character.

The first step to overcoming unconscious bias is simply becoming aware of it. When you catch yourself making a quick judgment about someone, pause and ask: “Is this based on who this person actually is, or on a pattern my brain is running automatically?”

Harvard’s Project Implicit offers free online tests that can help you explore your own unconscious biases. Taking one of these tests is a powerful experience — and it is available to anyone with internet access.

C. Deep Dive: The Power of Allyship

Being an upstander in a single moment is important — but allyship is the long game. An ally is someone who consistently uses their position, privilege, and voice to support people from marginalized or underrepresented groups, not just in moments of crisis, but in everyday life.

Allyship is not a label you give yourself; it is something that others recognize in you based on your sustained actions. Here is what effective allyship looks like in practice:

• Educate yourself. Do not expect people from marginalized groups to teach you everything. Read books, watch documentaries, and seek out firsthand accounts. The work of learning is yours to do.
• Listen more than you speak. When people share their experiences with discrimination or exclusion, your job is to listen, believe them, and ask how you can help — not to explain, compare, or minimize.
• Use your voice. If you are in a position where your voice is heard more easily, use it to amplify perspectives that are being overlooked. In a meeting, say “I’d like to hear what Priya thinks about this.” In a conversation, say “That’s not okay” when you hear something harmful.
• Accept feedback gracefully. You will make mistakes. When someone tells you that something you said or did was hurtful, do not get defensive. Thank them, reflect, and do better next time.
• Show up consistently. Allyship is not a one-time act or a social media post. It is a pattern of behavior over weeks, months, and years.

D. Deep Dive: Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution

When harm happens — whether it is bullying, exclusion, or discrimination — punishment is one response. But there is another approach that many schools, communities, and even courts are using: restorative justice.

Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm that was done rather than simply punishing the person who caused it. It brings together the person who was harmed, the person who caused the harm, and the community affected, and asks three questions:

1. What happened? Everyone shares their perspective.
2. Who was affected, and how? The impact is made visible and real.
3. What needs to happen to make things right? The group works together on a plan for repair.

This approach does not mean that harmful behavior is excused. It means that the response focuses on healing, accountability, and preventing the harm from happening again — rather than on punishment alone.

Many schools now use restorative circles — structured conversations where students sit in a circle, pass a talking piece, and share openly. These circles build trust, strengthen relationships, and give students tools to resolve conflicts without escalation.

If your school or Scouting unit does not yet use restorative practices, you could be the one to suggest it. Talk to a teacher, school counselor, or Scoutmaster about how restorative circles might help build a stronger community.

E. Real-World Experiences

Take your learning beyond the book and into the world. These experiences will deepen your understanding and connect you with others who share your commitment to inclusion.

F. Organizations

These organizations work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in communities across the country. Connecting with them can provide resources, volunteer opportunities, and ongoing learning.