When oppression came in the 1930s, in a certain country in Europe, it came gradually (apologies for the overwhelming simplification…please indulge to see the point). The ire and focus of the ruling party was on a minority. An easily identifiable, easy to target minority.
A German who might have said after the war, with profound realization, that they went along with the suppression of the Jews in 1933-1938 because: they held views that were bad…they acted in ways that were unsettling…they had too much influence….and that it’s good to “protect” people from their words, deeds, pernicious influence…that it brings peace and tranquility not to have to hear those loud people…etc. Or…and…getting them out of the way will open up possibilities to prosper more. Or add to the communal peace and well-being. Or…maybe…because they too really did not like the Jews and didn’t want to have them around, so this new government was doing a good thing.
Many liberal progressives of today hear the quote and think to themselves: “I would not be silent. I would speak up for the Jews!” Because they think from their own personal lens and experience. However, to understand the IDEA expressed here, liberal progressives should restate it for their own day and time. Here’s one example:
Liberal Progressive: Twitter is right to ban President Trump. He stirs up trouble. Fills people’s minds with bad thoughts. And, yes, ban those who support him. We would be better off, society would be much more polite and peaceful, respectful, if THOSE people were banned so we didn’t have to hear them again.
Those conservatives….(ed.: sorry there are only “far-right” conservatives…”alt right” conservatives…”radical” conservatives. Conservatives much be preceded by a descriptive adjective to train the reader/listener into always hearing “conservative” as a negative term)…Those far-right conservatives spread their lies…distortions…misrepresentations! We must stop them! Shut them down!! Block them!! Do not let people hear them…they might be harmed!!
A Liberal Progressive today should state the quote in such a way: I Didn’t Say Anything When They Came for the Conservatives…..
………Those ugly, radical, far-right, racist, sexist, homophobic, islamophobic, xenophobic, racist, conservatives….that I denounce, denigrate, and disdain.
…Soon, when they came for me….those who believe in Freedom of Speech and Expression had been silenced. Removed. Shut down.
And no one would speak for me.
Son of Liberty 2020
amliberty2020@gmail.com