Getting myself together for a Remembrance service on Sunday. I was browsing through an anthology of poems entitled '101 poems against war' and I was reminded of this one that speaks volumes into our responsibility when it comes to defending others . What goes around comes around and what happens when it eventually comes around to our doorsteps. It also touches on the fact that there is no passive position in war, no action equals action, we are accepting the status quo.
First they came for the Jews.
But I didn't speak up because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists.
But I didn't speak up because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists.
But I didn't speak up because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics.
But I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me.
And by that time one was left to speak up.
(Written supposedly by a U-boat captain Pastor Martin Niemoller)
3 comments:
It seems to have been said by Niemoller on various occasions, though his preferred order began with "First they came for the communicsts..." See the Wikipedia article
Thanks will check it out. As long as it doesn't say "First they came for the Methodists" :)
And then they came for the Methodists, and it was too late, for there was no one to speak out... Though when I hear the saga of Paul Verryn, I sometimes wonder if it's the Methodists who are coming for the Methodists. Isn't that always the way? A man's enemies shall be those of his own household.
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