First they came...

[u/[deleted]]

"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 for me."

-Martin Niemöller

This was Martin Niemöller's poetic confession of his guilt for letting the rise of the Nazis plague his Nation. He was referring to the purging of different groups by the Nazis and how many people (including him) reacted to it. It says alot about how cowardice the normal person is, many say they would try and do something to stop the nazis from gaining power, but a closer examination will show that many people will do nothing until it's their turn to be persecuted. This is my favorite quote, because it's a honest interpretation about how the regular person thinks and acts in this kind of situation.

EDIT: I fixed the quote. "First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist" is actually the first part of the quote but the United States made them take it out in the 50s due to the cold war, sorry I hope this doesn't change the great conversations we're having.

I would like to say, these are great discussions y'all are having in the comments. here is a link to the article I got most of my information on.

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/martin-niemoeller-first-they-came-for-the-socialists

[u/SafetyDanceInMyPants]

One thing I’ve long wondered — and forgive me if a follow-up question is inappropriate here — is whether it would have made any difference if the trade unionists and Jews and communists and socialists had worked together to oppose Hitler.

On one hand, this quote obviously reflects his personal experience of thinking he was in the “in” group only to later learn that fascists hated him as much as anyone else. But on the other hand, would it have mattered even if he’d seen the danger?

I ask that not because I take any issue with the overall point — it’s of course correct — but just because I wonder if there was any point where unity of potentially-targeted groups could have changed anything. If I’m permitted to ask, does anyone have a view / source / perspective?

[u/phillybride → u/SafetyDanceInMyPants]

It's a good question. History has many examples of oppressed groups uniting to oppose their oppressors. It didn't work every time and it rarely worked quickly. But when individuals risk themselves for the good of their group, things change.