Then they came for me

First they came for women’s reproductive freedom, and I didn’t speak up because I am too old to get pregnant.

Then they came for the drag queens and trans people, and I didn’t speak up because I am cis-gender and have no sense of style.

Then they came for immigrants (legal and illegal and tattooed), and I didn’t speak up because I’m not an immigrant and have no tattoos.

Then they came for 60 Minutes, and I didn’t speak up because I haven’t watched 60 Minutes in years.

Then they came for the universities and their research funding, and I didn’t speak up because I already have my college degree and it’s not in science.

Then they came for the defense attorneys, and I didn’t speak up because I’m not charged with a crime.

Then they came for the heads of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and CDC, and I didn’t speak up because I was distracted by their red-carpet welcome for a Russian dictator.

Then they came for DC, deploying federal troops against U.S.. citizens, and I didn’t speak up because I don’t live in DC. Then they came for Chicago, and San Francisco …

Then they came for my health insurance subsidy, so I burned my flag in protest.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up for me.

(With apologies to Martin Niemoller, eight-year survivor of Nazi prisons and concentration camps, and appreciation for all who speak up.)

Susan Drumheller
Sagle