First They Came

If you aren't already familiar with the English-language poetic variations/adaptations of Pastor Martin Niemöller's "famous statement and provocative poem about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazi's rise to power and the subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group" (to quote Wikipedia), you can read it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_.

Scary to anticipate a future version that goes something like this...

First they came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Muslim.
Then they came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Mexican.
Then they came for the Homosexuals, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Homosexual.
Then they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Poor, and I did not speak out—because I was not Poor.
...
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Do I think there are people seeking power in the US who might try to round up Muslims one day? Yes I do. Rounding up Mexicans, Homosexuals, Socialists, and the Poor? Doesn't seem likely. But targeting them for hatred? Already happening.

Problem is, the "conversation" is currently taking place in the context of an upcoming US election. For that reason, it comes across as politically motivated to "speak out". I suppose that was true during the Nazi's rise to power as well.

Take the politics out of it though, and see it for what it is.

It's time to speak out.

(For those who expect a fun read from my blog, I'll get back to that now. My 7 year old is doing all sorts of cute things and I'm dying to tell you about them.)