Statement: "In Germany, the Nazis came first for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, 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."" "Martin Niemoeller. .
On April 20th, 1999 two boys walked through Columbine High School and began to shoot students. Everyone knows this happened, but let's put a little twist on it. As they're walking down the hallway, all the students' flea as they are being shot at and many fall to the ground. Before you know it, you're the last person in that hallway with the two shooters. There's no one else to say anything and only you can save yourself. What in the world are you going to do? I think that's the point Martin Niemoeller was trying to get across. Not only was he trying to express what an awful tragedy was happening, but he was trying to open up minds and make people think as to what in the world would they do and make them take it into their own present life context. .
Niemoeller made a bold and powerful statement by outlining one by one how everyone was taken away. It was like he was trying to show everyone that it didn't matter who you were, but eventually you'll be the last one standing. You'd be the last one standing and because you didn't stand up for anyone else, there would be no one left to stand up for you. This is so true in real life. That last person standing in the hallway of Columbine High School didn't jump in front of the gun men and say anything and he didn't try to help people get out of the hallway. .
Niemoeller created a colorful picture of the world as a whole and what we've come to. One by one the world eliminates and persecutes groups of people, religion, states, countries, and before you know it everyone is going to be gone.
