Letter to the editor: Stand up and speak out

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