To the editor:

Being a child during WWII, I remember family conversations about it. I believe these spurred my interest in history, and learning more about not only events before, but also after the war.

Pastor Niemoller was arrested and sentenced to concentration camps for speaking out against Hitler and the Nazis. After visiting one of the camps, he wrote his famous poem, which I’ve always reflected on and recently paraphrased to fit today’s happenings.

First they came for the scientists, but I did not speak out — for I was not a scientist.

Then they came for the media, but I didn’t speak out — for I was not in the media.

Then they came for the undocumented, but I didn’t speak out — for I was not undocumented.

Then they came for legal immigrants, but I didn’t speak out — for I was not an immigrant.

Then they came for dark skinned people, but I didn’t speak out — for I’m not dark skinned.

Then they came for me– and there was no one left to speak for me!

While the above is now happening as people are disappearing from our communities, it’s time that we all stand up and speak out for them — and save our norms and democracy!

Besides his poem, Pastor Niemoller’s life journey is relevant today. During the 1930s, he not only failed to recognize the hate in the Nazi’s evil message, but he remained silent, supported it and twice voted for Hitler. Late in that decade, however, he admitted he was wrong, changed his mind and spoke out against Hitler.

It’s very late, but there’s still time for all of us to get off the Trump train before he has completely dismantled our government, universities and culture — our way of life.

“Man up,” get involved, and speak out to save our norms and democracy.

Carole Gehrig

Whitesboro