Imagine my surprise at learning (and my chagrin at not knowing this sooner) that, almost from Inauguration Day, 2025, I no longer officially exist in the eyes of our President. You may not either.

I am an elderly female who, when I have to choose a title, selects Ms. I am also an ordained Christian minister and belong to a very supportive church community. If you are a senior citizen, a woman, use the title Ms, and belong to any community, you are in the same position. If you are, in fact, other than a straight White male, you may want to be concerned that you are being written out of the White House mandated acceptable language guidelines.

Written in Black and white, the Independent ran a wonderful article on June 12th, highlighting the work of artist Pamela Fogg. She has painted the words on rocks and wood and placed them around Bristol. We use these words daily. Now, they have been flagged or banned by the White House from official memos, agency websites, and other federal government publications. The mandate has come through executive orders issued by President Trump.

So: elderly be banned; female be banned; Ms be banned; Black be banned; community be banned; other than straight, White male be banned!

It seems to me that the power behind the throne in this Administration is White Christian – in name only – Nationalism. The ultimate goal is an exclusively straight White male government, and any means to achieve this end is acceptable.

I wear a t-shirt that states: “We are all spots on the same cow”. Standing together as a community is more urgent than ever. We need to say a very loud YES! “…with liberty and justice for all”

The Administration is tearing down the very pledge it proclaims. In whatever non-violent way we can, we must say a loud NO! to those seeking to destroy the Pledge of Allegiance. I will do my part as an elderly female, who sometimes uses Ms, and lives in loving community at church and in Bristol.

Patti Welch

Bristol