I came across the poem below as I was sifting through my paraphernalia this morning. It got me thinking.
The poem was writtenby the prominent German anti-Nazi activist, Pastor Martin Niem?ller.
First they came...
In Germany they came first for the Communists,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
And I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
And by that time no one was left to speak up for me.
Most of our dear brothers and sisters are suffering and have suffered immensely in Kuresoi, Mount Elgon, in the hands of the ruthless mungiki and in election related violence in the recent past.
Speaking up for them is our divine responsibility. Taking the government to task and fervently asking why these heinous acts are being perpetrated under the very 'bulbous' nose of the state is the first step to much-needed healing.
Something has to give; something's gotta be done!
Well, if we don't speak up for the hurting and down-trodden in our country, who will speak up for us when it happens to us and our very own.
Food for thought, this.
Tell Ritch what you think.
let me add the following: Pastor Martin Niemoeller was one of the most respected Protestants - he got arrested in 1937 by the Nazi-Secret Police Gestapo and went into a Concentration Camp - a few days before the war ended he was transferred to another camp in Italy and was about to be executed when the Americans entered Italy. He then went back to Germany where in July 1945 he was finally reunited with his wife and his seven children who had lived in absolute poverty and only survived because of some charity gifts .... although having been in absolute confinement in the concentration camp (Sachsenhausen), Martin Niemoeller had the courage to support others and was the 'shining light' for thousands of Jews ....... it is for this reason that the poem you mentioned is inscribed in numerous memorials set up mainly in the US .......
ReplyDeleteI never met him (he died 1984) - but I knew one of his daughters ....
Marianne Briner
And Marianne Brinner u know so many people, dont you?
ReplyDeleteSad thing about Kenya is we tend to turn a blind eye when it suits us. Just because it's an election year many don't want to take the government to task because they are die hard supporters. It's important to remember that when these thugs like Mungiki set off to behead someone, they won't ask if you're ODM or PNU...a head is a head...it may just be yours next time!
ReplyDeleteHi Vikii,
ReplyDeleteIt is always funny, the way you read into things on here.
LOL
In case you are really interested to know more about me - about my life 'before Kenya' .... - then write to me under mariannebriner@hotmnail.com and I will send you more details ....
ReplyDeleteYou will be surprised since as I said, my life did not start in Kenya .... although that's where my heart was and still is .................
So I am challenging all of you - and this includes Chris to whom I also sent this 'piece' of my life some time ago..... if you are serious and do not prefer to just talk 'nonsense' about this certain ' mzungu stealing the cream of the cream of Kenyan men .... read Dr. Njoroge Mungai, Daniel arap Moi and now even Jeff Koinange ..........' - try to learn more about me and then - maybe - you will understand why and how things could have happened the way they did ............ and then try to learn how to avoid that they could be repeated in the future by somebody else ...........
Marianne Briner
MB you did you part in first post but you chose to be dragged to sideshows and your second post is not necessary. Vikii has all the right to his opinion but not all questions deserve answers. Very apt and loaded answers reside in loud silence, don't you agree?
ReplyDeleteWe have eagles and ego and it is a calamity when one tries to fly because it has no wings and is not design to attemt leaving the ground. Let us see the forest and avoid temptations from immaculately lawned parking lots. E-cop ask all to address Ritch's post please.