You’ve all heard it many times before. I’ve posted it here on Filosofa’s Word a number of times in various contexts. But today, I am asking you to read it and think about it from the perspective of those who, given the political chaos and unrest at present, still shrug their shoulders, say that “these things always work out, so I’m not gonna worry about it”, or those who don’t like either candidate in an election so they either just don’t vote, or throw away their vote on some third party or write-in candidate.
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then 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 out for me
– Martin Niemöller, January 6, 1946
Think of it in today’s terms …
First they came for the Blacks
And I did not speak out
Because I was not Black
Then they came for LGBTQ people
And I did not speak out
Because I was not an LGBTQ person
Then they came for teachers
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a teacher
Then they came for voters
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a voter
And then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Sadly, I have many friends, former friends, and even former family members who are among those who shrug their shoulders, tell me to “chill, Jill”, and go on with the business of posting pictures of their meals, going on vacations, and whatever else floats their boat. They claim they only seek ‘happiness’. They cannot see what is before them, cannot see that we are on the cusp of any number of events that can and likely will change the very face of this nation. In our lifetime we have survived Watergate, Vietnam, 9/11, and now the pandemic, they tell me. Yes, but this is different. I can feel it in the air, feel it in my bones … this time, some of us, perhaps most of us, won’t get off so easily. Even those who side with the right-wing state of evil and corruption will not find that bed of roses at the end of the day.
Maybe there’s still time to change the way this nation is headed, but we need people to wake up, need them to THINK! Those who don their blinders and stuff cotton in their ears, then walk around singing, “La la la ♫ la la ♫ … I can’t hear you” are the problem. Those who say they won’t vote, or who will throw their vote away … they are the problem. Those who don’t even bother to read a newspaper, because they are too busy shopping online for a new collar for the dog, are the problem. And those who believe what they are told by the likes of Fox ‘News’ and other right-wing media … they are responsible for what comes next.
No, I don’t expect brownshirts to come knocking on our doors in the middle of the night, but listen … hear that? Those who seem to have tired of democracy, of a government “of, by, and for the people,” are already taking over schools, threatening teachers who actually teach our children. They are already taking away our voting rights. And they are already trying to convince the Supreme Court to diminish women’s rights by reversing Roe v Wade and LGBTQ rights by reversing Obergefell v Hodges. What’s next? Take away integrated schools, return to the doctrine of “separate but equal” which was never even close to ‘equal’?
This year, it is more important than ever that we not only vote, but help ensure that our friends and neighbors are able to register and to either obtain a mail-in ballot or else get to the right poll at the right time on election day. It is, perhaps, the single most important thing we can do this year. If you have the resources and the ability, I would encourage you to follow TokyoSand at Political Charge, for she always has good ideas about ways to help get voters to the polls.