• Coolbeanschilly@lemmy.ca
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    6 months ago
    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.
    
    • SinAdjetivos@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      The original series of speeches and sermons by the former Nazi pastor Martin Niemöller’s mentiones the Incurables, Communists, socialists, schools, unionists, democratic socialists, Jews, the press, and the Church. but explicitly avoids mentioning the Nazi party started with felons and foreigners.

      The original German poem omits the felons, foreigners, incurables, schools, press and church.

      The American English version further omits the Communists and originally tried to replace “unions” with “industrialists”.

      If you are going to project the “first they came for” concept onto the USA you can either start with the spirit of the poem:

      First they came for the indigenous peoples

      Which sets the start date of the poem to at least ~1850.

      Or you can start with the letter of the poem:

      First they came for the Communists

      Which sets the start date to at least ~1950.

      • Coolbeanschilly@lemmy.ca
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        6 months ago

        I just happened to use the version of the poem that I happened to be familiar with. I thank you for the history lesson, but I do hope that your statement wasn’t delivered with gatekeeping as the intention?

        • SinAdjetivos@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          The intention was one of contextualizing current events. I’m not sure I understand what you mean by gatekeeping?

          • Coolbeanschilly@lemmy.ca
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            6 months ago

            Unfortunately, the limitations of technology can make a comment appear sarcastic, and given the nature of the days, I wanted to err on the side of caution. I apologize for any misunderstanding on my part.

    • PhilipTheBucket@ponder.catOP
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      6 months ago

      Some chucklefuck downvoted this.

      They’re also in these comments. Check who it is, if you have the ability, it gives some perspective about their other participation here.

      • Coolbeanschilly@lemmy.ca
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        6 months ago

        I actually don’t know who it is. Nor do I care, since I will speak my mind and stand for what is right. I don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.

        • PhilipTheBucket@ponder.catOP
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          6 months ago

          Yeah. It’s not like an equivocal quote, in terms of how to respond to it or whether to agree, and it’s not like anyone can claim it is not applicable right now.