With all the extreme republican bills that continue to oppress the American people and degrade the United States, this poem is still relevant in 2023 as it was in 1946. It’s about the silence from all of us, just like it was in Nazi Germany.
First they came for the communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a communistThen they came for the socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a socialistThen they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionistThen they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a JewThen they came for me
German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
We must continue to speak out NOW and LOUD on all fronts that the republican politicians are trying to do to the American people. This includes banning books, taking away women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and oppressing our BIPOC brothers and sisters, to name a few.
However, I do think we’re past a point where more needs to happen than being active on social media, lawsuits, and organized protests in the streets. Those actions need to continue, but there needs to be more.
For example, students at New College in Florida should not only protest, but they should also drop out and leave that school. Go somewhere else. I know that’s drastic but it needs to happen. Students interested in going to that college should not go. Effectively shutting the college down.
There needs to be a stressful financial impact for the people who are trying to change America for the worse. Republicans and their backers are forging ahead no matter what backlash is presented.
Do whatever you can to help. Get involved. And when you get overwhelmed with it all, know that that’s what they want. Take a break, keep coming back, and continue with a vengeance. Because that’s what it will take.
Know that there are tons of organizations that are out there to support you and that you can get involved with.
Let’s save democracy. The kids are always watching. DO NOT VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS!
Notes on what republicans and their white evangelical christian nationalists backers are doing now to oppress you and your family, group by group:
Tennessee lawmakers vote to ban medical care for trans minors, near final “drag ban” passage
These bills will be the direct cause of youth suicide. This seems to be the aim of Tennessee republican governor Bill Lee. These kids’ lives DO NOT MATTER to republican governors who sign these bills into law. And it could even be their own kids or kids related to them.
STOP INTERFERING in health care of transgender children!
If you think this doesn’t matter to you, give it time. Governors who come after bodily autonomy are eventually coming after everyones.