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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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Comments

1 - 5 of 5

  • Charley Noble Moderators member
    March 7
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    Relevance?

    Unfortunately, the relevance of this poem is as true today as it was in Germany in the 1930's. One only has to reflect on the "ethnic cleansing" which was taking place in the former Yugoslavia, the genocide in Rwanda, and the current situation in the Darfur region of the Sudan.

    Charley Noble

  • Adios Muchachos
    March 7
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    No man is an island

    If a small portion of rock drops from the cliffs to the English Channel,
    all of Europe is diminished. If that be true for mere dirt, how much more should it mean for every one of us.

  • rbruce
    March 7
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    I agree with others that this poem should be required reading for all school students in all countries. We enjoy our freedom today because of happenings in the past, but we are just a dictator's nod from losing everything.


  • March 5
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    Niemoller's Poem

    From guest Gary S. (contact)
    First They Came should stand as a stern warning against complaicency. If one person is discriminated against, we all suffer from that discrimination, If one person's liberties and rights are circumscribed, no one's liberties and rights are safe from the same action. It is up to each of us to realize that we are all just a whim away from being deprived of all these things we take for granted.


  • 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.


      • alpPDCjr12
        March 7
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        Every class in my school (I can't remember what grade) takes one trip or more to some sort of holocaust memorial, like the Holocaust Museum in DC or the memorial in Boston. I'm pretty sure both of those locations have this poem there, and with the fact that most English teachers cover it, I don't think it's being forgotten. I can assure you that at least where I grew up we learn to take our history into consideration.

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