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Life can be beautiful and interesting when celebrating and appreciating our differences.
On the other hand, degrading others is not only wrong but leads to the weakening of the foundation of our great nation.
Case in point are the haunting words of Martin Niemoller. Niemoller was a German, Lutheran pastor, and theologian. He was an outspoken anti-communist and supported Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. Niemoller thought Hitler could fix things, restore Germany to its deserved glory and stamp out those who would put government before religion.
Eventually Niemoller became disillusioned with the Nazis once Hitler consolidated power and acted against the Church. Niemoller was arrested and spent time in concentration camps until released by the Allies. After the war, Niemoller took homage to the lessons he learned. His words should be a beacon to us today.
“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.”
Those who Pastor Niemoller mentions – the Communists, Socialists, Trade Unionists and Jews – may mean something different to us in our culture than they did in Germany in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Yet, the gist of what Pastor Niemoller said is still pertinent to us today.
Just think. In the past year or two, disdain for others different than ourselves has rushed to the surface. President Trump relishes in wagging both his finger and his tongue at those who differ from him in philosophy or opinion. Somehow these other people are less than human, less than intelligent, less than American, less than our friends and neighbors.
Those who disagree are to be cast out from the decision making apparatus, cut down through tweets, promised retribution for their thoughts, denied government assistance and support, stripped of their rights, deported or locked up. All this comes with the support, applause and outspoken hatred of many Americans under the guise of conservatism.
Today many social media adherents make up, copy and share, terrifying messages that are factually incorrect and laced with venom. All in the name of making America great again. It is almost like a drive by shooting, with the shooters hiding behind the dark glass of their computer screens, blasting disparagement at whatever targets happen by.
Screaming is common and cheap. Send the opponent to jail. Make up stories, post them online and see who might actually believe the fantasies. Such fun!
I for one have been a target of such animosity and spitefulness. After several of my political columns were published, I was bombarded by comments stating that I was somehow being paid off, involved in illegal activity and had an ax to grind. Nothing is further from the truth. But in this world of make believe, truth does not matter.
Pastor Niemuller would be appalled by all of this enmity. If he were alive today, he might well have said…
“First they criticized and mistreated African Americans, but I do not have brown skin, so I did not speak out. Then they disparaged those of the Muslim faith, but I am not of Arab descent, so I did not speak out. Then they deported dark-skinned Hispanic and Spanish peoples, but I am white. Then the President ridiculed those who are crippled, but I am fit as a fiddle, so I did not speak out. Then they belittled women with blood coming from everywhere, but they could not have really meant it, so I did not speak out. Then they ran disparaging advertisements about Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came after me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
In my lifetime I have not experienced such hateful rhetoric as I am hearing today from some of my fellow Americans. Even from a number of my friends.
This is not about conservative and liberal, Republican and Democrat, this issue or that. It is about you and me. It is about the kind of country in which we want to live.
Is it that we really want to live in a place where only those who support a particular way of thinking have our respect and the protection of our government?
I certainly hope that is not how you feel.
I pray that you stand up to those who would rain down on us with poisonous words under the guise of we are right and you are wrong.
The fear we have should not be of one another, nor of those of other heritages, religions, lifestyles, political leanings, races or colors. The enemy should not be us. Rather we must reject the hatred of those who would exploit our differences for their own benefit, agenda, political power and personal enrichment.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, former Shippensburg University Trustee, awarded numerous patents, as well as Founder and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. eLynxx provides cloud-software for automated sourcing and managing of mail marketing, swag, packaging, and all things print. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur, published author and commentator. He can be reached at Bill.Gindlesperger@eLynxx.com.
