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First They Came For The Communists

First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.

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  • December 1, 2006
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    First they came for the Jews

    From guest katie (contact)
    i love this poem sooo much, im only 15 and i think its wonderful and so simple, and it just really makes you think about the way you live your life.

  • mermaid7
    October 4, 2006
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    The idea is simple: we are all connected. The phrase, "never again" has been in place since the Holocaust of WWII was revealed to the world. Yet, genocide still takes place. Yet, the poor are still with us. Yet, corrupt governments are still in place. Who speaks? Who stands? Who gives voice?
    This poem is still relevant today. It is a wonderful piece to challenge complacent behaviors on the part of society, and on the part of individuals.


    • I-Like-Rhymes Moderators member
      October 5, 2006
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      Pastor Niemoller's poem should be required reading in every civics class.