First They Came For...
Updating German pastor Martin Niemöller's 1946 poem for 2025
My Fellow Democracy Defenders,
Martin Niemöller was a prominent Lutheran pastor in Germany. After Hitler seized power in 1933, the pastor became an outspoken critic. For defying a dictator, he spent the last eight years of Nazi rule (1937 to 1945) in prisons and concentration camps. Pastor Niemöller is best remembered for his 1946 poem, which I have updated for our current situation below.
First they came for the refugees, and I did not speak out—because I was not a refugee.
Then they came for the trans children, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trans child.
Then they came for the people of color, and I did not speak out—because I was not a person of color.
Then they came for the abortionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not an abortionist.
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the journalists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a journalist.
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 the civil servants, and I am speaking out—my partner has lost her job, and I am fighting for mine.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Will you speak up for all those who are oppressed by fascists?
During his first term, the Felon-president first came for the Muslims, but yes, the 1946 poem is most a propos in this sad year.
However, the Felon and his crew miscalculated:
He wanted President Zelensky to sign over Ukraine's mineral deposits without any guarantees. He didn't. They wanted to belittle him Yes, they did, and in so doing President Zelensky was adopted immediately by all of Europe while Trump and the US became the pariahs of the Free World.
Public opinion, even in America was one of shame at seeing a democratically elected friend and hero of his country being bullied as if they were in a school yard, trying to steal someone's lunch money [the rare earth deposits].
Trump lost, because now, the European leaders may well be the ones getting favored access to these rare Earth minerals, and the US is OUT. Putin may still get them by force, and Europeans may get some, but they will offer the territorial guarantees that Trump would not offer.
Nice going, Jackass!
The irony is that right-wing white women think they get a free ride because 1) they are white and 2) their "hero" husbands or SO's will protect them. I got news for you, girlies. Not only do you lose bodily autonomy, but they are coming after your vote too. You are nothing but chattel to white males. You will be in the camps with the rest of us. Don't fall asleep, something nasty cd happen.