None of us can be safe until all of us are safe.
Niemöller’s law
I first heard this sentiment uttered by the Reverend Timothy Murphy on this episode of Code Switch.
The Reverend Timothy Murphy doesn’t credit Martin Niemöller for the inspiration, but I know the origin of the sentiment all the same. The same feeling has been heavy on my mind since the day His Electoral Highness descended the golden escalator and intoned “Mexicans are rapists” to a rapt audience.
For those who are not students of history, this was Martin Niemöller.
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 for me.
‘First They Came’: The Poem of the Protests
