"First They Came" Poem

The cluster centers on quotes, paraphrases, and adaptations of Martin Niemöller's 'First they came...' poem, used to argue about the risks of not speaking out against censorship or suppression of various groups in political or social contexts.

➡️ Stable 0.8x Politics & Society
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20
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#4238
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Keywords

TED on.ted FTFY newsguidelines.html ycombinator.com wikipedia.org did speak speak came trade jew holocaust jews socialist communists left

Sample Comments

asiando Jan 29, 2021 View on HN

People downvoted you but there’s some truth here. There’s only one thing that comes to mind:> 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.I know, I know. Nobody is killing anyone

saagarjha May 8, 2019 View on HN

Seems like a variant of the “first they came for” argument.

ejk314 Aug 23, 2013 View on HN

First they came for the brown people, but I did not speak out because I was not a brown person...

gnosis Aug 5, 2013 View on HN

First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me. https:/&

roel_v Feb 2, 2021 View on HN

At first they came for x, and I didn't speak out, etc...

gritzko Aug 17, 2017 View on HN

First they came for the Nazis, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Nazi.

Bud Aug 24, 2012 View on HN

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...First they came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

gourabmi Oct 16, 2019 View on HN

" 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. "

forsaken Jul 27, 2009 View on HN

Context: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came... 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

kevviiinn May 13, 2023 View on HN

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.Maybe you aren't the target now but who's to say you won't be in the future? Consider your perspective versus those who live