First They Came...

On the subject of apathy, impassivity, the state of being indifferent, or complacency, some people feel that they do not have to confront a challenge especially when they view that challenge to be someone else’s problem.

Should we stand aside and allow injustice, oppression or unfairness to occur simply because it is happening to someone else, hence irrelevant to us? Do we all have a collective responsibility, or obligation to act, or speak up to benefit each other and society at large? At the very core are we not all connected?

Perhaps Martin Niemoller says it best in this statement;

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up, because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was not a Catholic.

Then they came for the Protestants, and I didn’t speak up, because I was not a Protestant.

Then they came for me. By that time there was no one left to speak up for me.

By Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Comments

[Faye]

That's deep what is your book called.