First they came for the babies...

Today in 7th grade we read the poem First They Came by Martin Niemoller. If you've never read this poem before it goes like this: 

FIRST THEY CAME 

First they came for the Communists 

And I did not speak out because I was not a Communist 

Then 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 out for me.

The students read an article about Niemoller independently and then we formed a socratic circle and discussed both the author and the poem itself. Niemoller was a German pastor who was initially excited about a strong leader like Hitler rising up and saving the country he loved. After a few years, once the Natzis began controlling the churches and what they could and could not say, Niemoller changed his opinion. In the end he spent seven years incarcerated (including Dachau) and wrote this poem as a result of his experiences and the weight of the guilt he carried. 

Next, we brainstormed areas in our own lives where we see individuals or groups of people who are disliked. They were asked to think about where they see this in their churches, schools, country and world. We discussed that the "what" of the poem was the Communists, the Socialists, the trade unionists, and the Jews. But it was the "why" that was most important. Why were these groups singled out? Was is because of fear? They were too different? They were a threat? 

Finally, they were tasked with writing their own version of Niemoller's poem. Who are the "what's and what is the "why" that connects those individuals together? 

The following poem from one of my students stood out to me. 

First they came for the babies

And I did not speak out because I am not a baby

Then they came for the needy people

And I did not speak out because I am not needy

Then they came for the handicapped

And I did not speak out because I am not handicapped

Then they came for me

And there was no one left to speak out for me.

When I asked the student what the "why" was behind this poem he said it was about the church and removing all distractions. We start with the babies who cry in the service, because they distract us from the sermon. He saw the other groups as possible next steps, with the goal of removing anything that might become a distraction during the sermon. 

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with his poem, but the thought behind it and the "why" of it, has stuck with me all day.