The President has told four Congresswomen of color to “go back to their countries.” Three of the four Congresswomen, were born in the USA and the other a refugee from Somalia more than 20 years ago, is an American citizen. At the same time, the FBI is reporting a rise in hate crimes associated with white supremacy and white nationalism.

Members of Congress open official sessions by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and on each school day, most public school children either recite or listen to the pledge that includes the words, “liberty and justice for all.” Those words are broad brush for the fact that in 1892, Francis Bellamy initially wanted to include the words ‘equality’ and ‘fraternity’, but he decided against it, knowing that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. Ten word changes have been made to the Pledge, the last two “under God” in 1954, but none specifically addressing the race and gender issues that were excluded.

The time has come. Along with instilling a sense of patriotism, Congress should amend the Pledge of Allegiance to make it clear that we are a diverse country. This can be and should be done NOW by adding two words and change another word to the existing Pledge after which it would then read as follows:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice, diversity and inclusion of all.”

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON TO SUPPORT THIS CHANGE