Dear Editor
“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.”
These iconic words are assumed to be a warning. They are not. These words are an apology. They were written by Martin Niemoller, a prominent Lutheran pastor, Christian theologian, Nazi sympathizer and antisemite in the 20s and early 30s. When Hitler came to power in 1933, Niemoller finally began to speak out against the Nazi regime for interfering with the Protestant Church, not the socialists, the trade unionists, or the Jews. He spent eight years in concentration camps.
The quote is known as the Niemoller Confession. It is a clarion call to speak out for all oppressed groups before it is too late. Most importantly, it is an expression of remorse and guilt for remaining silent. There are three lessons here. 1. Autocratic regimes will eventually come for you too. 2. Speaking out against the current political climate of division, violence, and hate will require moral courage. Finally, confession will be the price we pay for not understanding the first two.
Kelly McKerrow
Perryville
