All of us heard these lines before..

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

You know it’s a good poem when a religious pastor starts it with a line about socialists.

I find the last parts of his texts and reflections more relevant, and many don’t know about it. It roughy reads as..

“I wish that I had the courage to speak my mind and not pretend”

This is even more relevant because it was written by Martin Niemöller, a GERMAN, prominent CHRISTIAN PRIEST in Berlin during WW2. He was a former submariner during WW1 and initially a supporter of the nazi national socialist movement and the anti-semitism sentiment before the war.

It is a powerful lesson from History BECAUSE he was a supporter.

We need values. And we need people to stand by values independently of their own affiliations. Not enough people speak their mind early. WHEN THEY MUST.

you can read more about Martin Niemöller below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_...