First They Came

Video of a famous statement attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892--1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power as extended to warn the United States about the current growing hatred and fear over minority groups in the country.

The statement is interpreted and extended in this video as follows:

"First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak up as I am not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up as I am not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up as I am not a Jew.
Then they came for the homosexuals, and I didn't speak up as I am not a homosexual.
Then they came for the immigrant, and I didn't speak up as I am not an immigrant.
Then they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak up as I am not a Muslim.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up for me."

Video: Sean Chapin

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• lgbt
• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual
• transgender
• nazi
• american
• hatred
• hate
• fear

[amateurrevolutionary]

I liked the video but comparing prop 8 to the holocaust is a little extreme,not being able to marry who we what is a lot different than being starved and put into an oven. However in many Islamic countries being gay is pushable by death, and adulterers are stoned, Infidels are beheaded, and thieves hands are cut off. Not that Christianity is much better (Uganda), but at least there are less of them.

[SeanChapin1]

@amateurrevolutionary, I see where you're coming from, but what I find important that does link the two together is the danger of silence in the midst of mutating hatred.  Germany slowly progressed towards the Holocaust over the course of many years, a path that started ominously with Jews being denied the right to marriage with non-Jews. There are those in America that would not stop until homosexuality is completely outlawed and those openly gay are murdered or "treated" (continued).

[SeanChapin1]

@amateurrevolutionary (con't from previous), I would concur that comparing the loss of marriage rights to something as horrific as the Holocaust is more of an apple to orange comparison, but I would say that comparing the two paths (the path of German anti-semitism in the 1930's and a future unknown path of American homophobia that starts today with Prop 8) yields more potential and disturbing similarities, especially if met with silence. It is this possibility that I find relevant.

[rarrmonkey]

'an' immigrand not 'a'

but still worth 5 stars! I do like this quote!

[SeanChapin1]

@rarrmonkey, I noticed this discrepancy as well when I was making the video, and I decided to keep it as is to continue the flow, though in hindsight I think I would've done something to correct it (ah well).

[DarthKreeg]

I think your painting a pretty dark picture of this country,one that it does not deserve.

[SeanChapin1]

@DarthKreeg, every country deserves the chance to learn, understand and empower itself from our world's history, as no country is immune from repeating any of it.

[coffe1998]

Philly D Brought me here

[RockandRoll21395]

Phillip DeFranco army unite!

[JackStaplesButler]

Chilling video. The audio mixing and the background music was very good. Well made and well done!

[TheThordir]

I like it how even the poem omits lgbt persons. After the Allies released the survivors from the concentration camps, they didn't give homosexuals and transvestites reparations, but instead re-imprisoned them. Disgusting! And people still wonder why we lgbt persons are so "sensitive". Bah! You may have interpreted and extended it, but the original deliberately omitted homosexuals and transvestites.

[TheThordir]

I like it how even the poem omits lgbt persons. After the Allies released the survivors from the concentration camps, they didn't give homosexuals and transvestites reparations, but instead re-imprisoned them. Disgusting! And people still wonder why we lgbt persons are so "sensitive". Bah!

[Armboy100]

good video! I thank the creator and the one who uploaded it!

[amateurrevolutionary]

@Padmepotter4986 Yes, I agree simply having a firearm doesn't mean that you are invincible. Yes, I agree people who buy a gun should spend a good amount of time on the range, but when you say timing I'm guessing you are talking about shooting in between breaths, good luck with that when some jerk-off is coming at you or shooting back. Overall this is just splitting hairs, my argument is that civilian gun ownership gives governments pause before they do crazy shit. Like the holocaust.

[Padmepotter4986]

First, this video does not compare Prop 8 to the Holocaust. Kindly read and study Niemoller's poem and words. He is describing political apathy and what it can do to a people. The outcome isn't necessarily the Holocaust. But there are many other terrible outcomes that come from political apathy. If people can vote on the civil liberties of one group, what's to stop them from voting on yours? The outcome isn't always death camps. It might just be a loss of liberty.

[Padmepotter4986]

Ummm, no. Just no.

[Padmepotter4986]

No. Guns are not the only thing that equalizes everyone. America didn't win the war against England because they could carry a gun. Any moron can fire a gun. It takes skill, training, and timing to learn how to handle a weapon. Americans were skilled in ways England was not. They had the hold field advantage. Guns can be a help or a hazard. I own guns and believe very strongly in the right to bear arms. However, you're very ignorant if you believe a gun is the great equalizer.