Written by a German Pastor, Martin Niemiller, in the mid-1900s, this poem below, cautions us that through silence, indifferent 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