Written by a German pastor, Martin Niemoller, in the mid-1900s, the poem below cautions us that through silence, indifference and inaction we are complicit in our government’s actions. In these coming years, let’s not make the same mistakes. Let’s stand up for our neighbors, community members, colleagues and co-workers, regardless of race, religion or party affiliation. Let’s not malign our fellow citizens just because they are different from us.
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
Mary Ann Lauffer
North Huntingdon