A Professor’s Lament

By anonymous

First they came for the Racists, but I was not a Racist so I did not speak out.

Then they came for the Homophobes and the Transphobes, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.

Then they came for the Ableists, but I was not an Ableist, so I did not speak out.

And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.

Note: Sibylle Sarah Niemöller von Sell, in response to a student’s question, “How could it happen?,” quoted her husband Martin, saying: “First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”