They Came But I Didn't Speak Up

My daughter and I am opposites in many ways.  The one difference I want to point out today is politics.  Susanna French is passionate and very vocal - hence her recent election as President of the National Federation of Democratic Women.  I’m not into the political scene.  I’ve always felt my opinions are mine and others are entitled to theirs.  However, as this year has progressed, with every day bringing more and more drama, chaos, criticism, finger pointing, and hateful rhetoric, I am asking myself, “How do I feel about this?  What kind of stand should I make?  Why do I not speak out?  What will happen to my friendships if they don’t agree with me?”  And on and on my questions go. 
 

The Charlottesville, VA incident this past weekend, and the atmosphere that has followed that is almost minute by minute growing more divisive, contentious, and quarrelsome, is weighing on my mind.  Personally, I think it is time to take a stand.  I woke up this morning thinking about FIRST THEY CAME, by Pastor Martin Niemöller, written just after the Holocaust.  It is a poem made powerful by its pronouns: They-I-I, They-I-I, They-I-I, They-no one-me.
                                                           
This 20th-century poem reads as almost tailor-made for the remix culture of the 21st century. It features an almost fill-in-the-blank format.   Here is the version quoted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum:

                                                     
First 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 for me. ___________________________________________________________________________________

There is an updated version written by Gideon Lichfield rewritten for Donald Trump’s America.  Be aware, it is controversial and may offend your political ideals. 

What would Martin Niemöller write today?
The famous poem by an anti-Nazi pastor, rewritten for Donald Trump’s America
By Gideon Lichfield   

First Trump came for the women
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a woman.

Then Trump came for the people with disabilities
And I did not speak out
Because I did not have a disability.

Then Trump came for the African Americans
And I did not speak out
Because I was not African American.

Then Trump came for the Mexicans
And I did not speak out
Because I was not Mexican.

Then Trump came for the Muslims
And I did not speak out
Because I was not Muslim.

Then Trump came for the gay, bi, and trans people
And I did not speak out
Because I was not gay, big, or trans.

Then Trump came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not Jew.

Then Trump came for the journalists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not journalist.

Then Trump came for the judges
And I did not speak out
Because I was not judge.

And now Trump is coming for the Constitution of the United States
And if I do not speak out, what am I?

It’s time for everyone to remember Niemöller’s words, and speak out in support of anyone who becomes the target of hate-mongers and their alt-right cohorts.