Following up with Niemoller
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 2306I knew there was a quote I wanted to use in my earlier post, but couldn’t put my finger on it. Fortunately a Democracy Now vid tipped me off and I sought it out.
When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew, therefore I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned.
And when Hitler attacked the unions and industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned.
Then, Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church — and there was nobody left to be concerned.
-Martin Niemoller, German Protestant Pastor, 1892-1984
We do not have to agree with each other, but we do have to stand together to protect against being taken advantage of.