Someone Should Say Something...

First 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 for me.

          - 1946 confession by German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller

--

Chances are high, no matter where you are, that close by, someone’s freedoms are being threatened.

This happens in the form of violent action, certainly.  It also happens on a much more subtle scale, every time we keep quiet when we know better: we look the other way when someone’s being picked on, or we keep quiet when the group is about to do something dishonest.  This is wrong, someone should say something.

Each moment is full of choice: 

• You can be courageous. Or you can mind your own business.
• You can speak up. Or hope that someone else does.

Every choice sends out a ripple.  And those ripples make up the world. What kind of ripples are you sending?