In Nazi Germany, the List of ENEMIES expanded and no one stepped forward to speak out.
As Donald Trump spews Fascism, Hatred, Bigotry and Racism, how different is America from Nazi Germany?
Shouldn't ALL people be entitled to Equal Treatment, Equal Justice regardless of their skin color?
As so many defend Police Brutality and Police Killings, one should be reminded of Pastor Martin Niemöller's words:
"First they came ..." is a famous statement and provocative poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power and the subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group. Many variations and adaptations in the spirit of the original have been published in the English language. It deals with themes of persecution, guilt and responsibility.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
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.
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.
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
When Pastor Niemöller was put in a concentration camp we wrote the year 1937; when the concentration camp was opened we wrote the year 1933, and the people who were put in the camps then were Communists. Who cared about them? We knew it, it was printed in the newspapers.
Who raised their voice, maybe the Confessing Church? We thought: Communists, those opponents of religion, those enemies of Christians - "should I be my brother's keeper?"
Then they got rid of the sick, the so-called incurables. - I remember a conversation I had with a person who claimed to be a Christian. He said: Perhaps it's right, these incurably sick people just cost the state money, they are just a burden to themselves and to others. Isn't it best for all concerned if they are taken out of the middle [of society]? -- Only then did the church as such take note. Then we started talking, until our voices were again silenced in public. Can we say, we aren't guilty/responsible? The persecution of the Jews, the way we treated the occupied countries, or the things in Greece, in Poland, in Czechoslovakia or in Holland, that were written in the newspapers
I believe, we Confessing-Church-Christians have every reason to say: mea culpa, mea culpa! We can talk ourselves out of it with the excuse that it would have cost me my head if I had spoken out.
Who raised their voice, maybe the Confessing Church? We thought: Communists, those opponents of religion, those enemies of Christians - "should I be my brother's keeper?"
Then they got rid of the sick, the so-called incurables. - I remember a conversation I had with a person who claimed to be a Christian. He said: Perhaps it's right, these incurably sick people just cost the state money, they are just a burden to themselves and to others. Isn't it best for all concerned if they are taken out of the middle [of society]? -- Only then did the church as such take note. Then we started talking, until our voices were again silenced in public. Can we say, we aren't guilty/responsible? The persecution of the Jews, the way we treated the occupied countries, or the things in Greece, in Poland, in Czechoslovakia or in Holland, that were written in the newspapers
I believe, we Confessing-Church-Christians have every reason to say: mea culpa, mea culpa! We can talk ourselves out of it with the excuse that it would have cost me my head if I had spoken out.
EDITED VIDEO ON LINK:
Dashcam Video Shows Officer Threatening to 'Light Up' Sandra Bland With Taser
Sandra Bland deserves justice
In July, 28 year-old Sandra Bland was driving to her new job in Waller County, TX when she was pulled over for switching lanes without a signal--a routine violation that usually ends with a ticket. But instead, officers slammed her head into the ground and arrested her.Three days later, she died in police custody.
This is one of the most outrageous cases of police abuse we've seen yet. There is video showing the officer slamming Sandra to the ground as she pleads for them to stop.And the local sheriff, who claimed Sandra killed herself, was fired in a different city for multiple counts of racist and violent conduct. That's why we can't leave an investigation into Sandra's suspicious death in the hands of local officials. Together with our friends at ColorofChange, we're demanding the Department of Justice step in and investigate just what happened. Will you stand up for Sandra and sign our petition to Attorney General Loretta Lynch?
Tell Attorney General Loretta Lynch:
Waller County Police must be held accountable. Launch a federal investigation into the death of Sandra Bland.
Sandra Bland was driving from Illinois to Texas to start a new job at her alma mater. By all accounts she was thrilled at the opportunity.
But that opportunity is gone, after a routine traffic stop Friday in Waller County, TX led to her death in a jail cell Monday morning.2
And the local sheriff--who was fired in a different city for racist and violent conduct--claims Sandra killed herself. 3 But Sandra's family and friends say that's not possible. They are demanding answers but getting little help from local authorities. If left up to a racist sheriff, you can bet justice for Sandra and her family will be delayed--possibly forever.
That's why we need the Department of Justice to step in and investigate Sandra's death. Can you sign the petition?
Tell Attorney General Loretta Lynch: Waller County Police must be held accountable. Launch a federal investigation into the death of Sandra Bland.
In the video, you can hear Sandra screaming, "You slammed my head into the ground. Do you not even care about that?"3She was just about to start a new job in student outreach at her alma mater Prairie View A&M University. Her family and friends say she was excited about her new job, and describe her as "strong," "outspoken," and "passionate." She was also a proud advocate against police violence and brutality. Her death is tragic.5
Black women and men are 4.2 times more likely to be killed by a police officer than anyone else.6 From Natasha McKenna, Alexia Christian, and Sheneque Proctor, to Yvvette Smith and Rekia Boyd, the deaths of Black women at the hands of police--with no accountability--needs to be stopped.
The police department is claiming she took her own life by hanging herself--but there were no shoestrings or blankets in her cell she could have used.7 And they're refusing to release any video footage from that night. The police aren't going to police themselves--that's why we need the Department of Justice to launch a full investigation of Sandra's death.
Sandra Bland deserves justice, and as we've seen with cases like those of Renisha McBride and Marissa Alexander, justice often comes only after we all raise our voices loudly.8 When people demanded an investigation of Ferguson police, the Department of Justice found undeniable patterns of racism and violence, and they were held accountable.9 Together, with our friends at ColorofChange, we can make sure Waller County police are held accountable, and stem the tide of police violence against Black women.
Thanks for speaking out.
--Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Karin, Adam, Gabriela, Holly, Kaili, Kathy, Onyi, Susan, Clarise, Anathea, Audine, Ryan, and Shannon, the UltraViolet team
Sources:
1. Prosecutor: No indictment in Sandra Bland jail death, Associated Press, December 21, 2015
2. Sandra Bland Drove to Texas to Start a New Job, so How Did She End Up Dead In Jail?, The Root, July 16, 2015
3. Texas Sheriff involved in the death of Sandra Bland fired from previous post for racism, Daily Kos, July 16, 2015
4. Sandra Bland Drove to Texas to Start a New Job, so How Did She End Up Dead In Jail?, The Root, July 16, 2015
5. Family wary after Naperville woman's death in Texas jail; grand jury to inquire, Chicago Tribune, July 16, 2015
6. Here's the Data That Shows Cops Kill Black People at a Higher Rate Than White People, MotherJones, September 10, 2014
7. What Happened to Sandra Bland, a Black Woman Who Died in Jail Monday?, Gawker, July 16, 2015
8. Renisha McBride's family: 'You can rest now, justice is served', myFOXDetroit.com, August 7, 2014
Marissa Alexander Released From Prison, The Root, January 28, 2015
9. Ferguson's Conspiracy Against Black Citizens,The Atlantic, March 5, 2015
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