When you’re just a drop in the ocean, just small change in a billionaire’s pocket, only a pittance, a trifle, what can you do? You can’t do anything. Can you?
You’ve probably heard this poem by Pastor Martin Niemoller. It begins like this:
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
The poem ends like this:
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
I think many people from my generation have wondered why the German people didn’t do something to stop Hitler. The poem highlights one reason: a selfish lack of love and concern for all people. We might write a similar poem now, something like this:
First they came for USAID
And I did not speak out
Because I did not live in a poor, needy country
Then they came for the Federal Aviation Administration
And I did not speak out
Because I don’t travel very often
Then they came for the Department of Education
And I did not speak out
Because I don’t have a handicapped child.
We could go on and on.
But I wonder if there was another reason most Germans didn’t speak out about the rise of Hitler. They may have felt helpless, aware of being just one person with no power. Maybe it would have been impossible to stop Hitler. What do you think?
Now the question for us is, what can one person do in this very large country of ours? If alone we’re only a pittance, a trifle, a drop in the ocean, can we join together to become something more?
Everything I can think of to do seems small and silly. Sending postcards to the president …….. demonstrating …..
BUT when millions of us do our small silly things, it could very well become powerful.
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Pastor Niemoller was finally arrested when he spoke out for his church. Eventually he was sent to concentration camps, including Dachau. You can read his very interesting story here.
Here’s Pastor Niemoller’s full poem:
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 not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.
Nicki, so wise of you to share for these words are so appropriate now, especially as those who voted for Trump are discovering that he was never for them, that those who they believed were safe, are not safe. It would’ve been better if they hadn’t needed to be educated, but better that they learn now than not at all.
I don’t know how to overcome a dictator, but if we don’t speak out, everyone will feel alone and helpless. The would-be dictator and his supporters want to frighten us with their power, but millions of angry people can be pretty powerful too.
Very nice! You may be one drop but you’re a drop with a definite sane opinion. Hear, hear!
Thank you, Ally.
Well said, Nicki!
Your signs are great . . . but I think we might want to impeach Trump too!
That would be nice. It doesn’t seem likely, but who knows. It may come to that.
Dear cousin, This is so true! The poem works in with what is happening today for sure. Love the picture of my relatives!. So good to see people all over the country are now waking up and seeing the truth of what they are doing. Take Care.
Thank you, Ann. It’s so good to hear from you. It is true. People are starting to wake up.
Thank you for speaking to my deepest fears and feeling that no matter what I write on social media, what donations I have made (and still make as able), and what I do in personal interactions… it is never enough. I know that this feeling of insignificance is dragging me down but you writing stl gave me a lift today.
When the crowds get bigger, we won’t feel so lonely. No one can change such a big thing like this alone. We need to be satisfied by doing our small part.
Very timely post. I often wonder how to make a difference as sooner or later it will affect me.
That’s the question. The hope is that at some point we can become a small part of a big enough crowd to have its own power.
An excellent reminder. It’s so bizarre to me that folks don’t seem to understand that the second you allow one person’s rights to be trampled on, you are setting a precedent. And yours could be next.
It happens bit by bit but faster than we ever could have imagined.
Amen!! One person can make a change!
Yes. Especially when we join together.
How true this is…!! Thank you for the reminder. I am going to read this every week as a reminder and hope I can help make a difference.
You’re a can-do person, Jeri.
Thank you Nicki for putting to words the struggle many of us are experiencing. And yes, Martin Niemoller’s poem has been in my mind daily. May we be heartened that together our droplets create a wave for change.
It’s funny. He wasn’t exactly a hero. He didn’t come around until very late. But his one little poem has become so powerful. I guess writers really do have power.