Perhaps, I was always speaking up... if not for myself, then for what I believed. I had two strong-willed grandparents who instilled that in me and a mother who always said, "Don't ever let someone else speak for you. Speak for yourself." They're all gone now, but those early lessons have stayed with me, which is why when I read this poem years ago it stayed with me too! It re-inforced my resolve to never back down from tyranny!
THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews, and again, I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for me, and by that time , no one was left to speak up."
This was written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. The text expresses, in a condensed form, the understanding of history presented by Niemöller in a January 6, 1946 speech before representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt.
I could easily replace that with American Indians, Asians, Hispanics, immigrants, unionists, homosexuals, and women and that poem would be just as valid today as it was in 1946.
Certain forces in this nation are coming after the Blacks and those mentioned above and they aren't even trying to be subtle about it. If anybody stands aside and lets one group's rights get taken just because they don't belong to that group, just remember... it could be your group tomorrow.
Who will be around when they come for you, playa?
THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews, and again, I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for me, and by that time , no one was left to speak up."
This was written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. The text expresses, in a condensed form, the understanding of history presented by Niemöller in a January 6, 1946 speech before representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt.
I could easily replace that with American Indians, Asians, Hispanics, immigrants, unionists, homosexuals, and women and that poem would be just as valid today as it was in 1946.
Certain forces in this nation are coming after the Blacks and those mentioned above and they aren't even trying to be subtle about it. If anybody stands aside and lets one group's rights get taken just because they don't belong to that group, just remember... it could be your group tomorrow.
Who will be around when they come for you, playa?
4 comments:
*hand claps*
I'm wondering too who will speak for us... if we'll have another strong voice...unafraid of the political backlash... great post.
Only the Lord!! Truly things would appear to be bleak if it wasn't for our knowledge that God is soveriegn. I believe that God so loved this world that He gave His Son so that the people will not perish. I have no fear of any one "coming" for me because I'm already the Lord's. And I have no fear for speaking up for other because I share the good news with every one and at all times.
I'm with you Cuz. Never operate from fear. Our God is omnipotent!! and omnipresent.
There is so much wrong with this that affects all of us. And if we don't learn from the past we will see it again. In my area Hispanics are rounded up by hoards, considered drug dealers, illigals, gang members and more. I remember hiring some to do some work on my house and they were afraid to even come to my area and left before dark because of this. It's sad. Very sad.
Post a Comment