I have been in prayer over my present “situation” at work and I have been asking my Higher Power for affirmations to guide me to know that I am moving in the right direction. Each and every time I have prayed about what I need to do, which direction I should take, I keep getting this same quote in my mind over and over again. The quote is credited to Pastor Martin Niemoller and I’d like to share it with you now.
“First they came for the Socialist, 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 on left to speak for me.”
This stand that I am taking is probably among the hardest stands I’ve ever taken. I have never been afraid of another human being; yet I am fear of my daughter’s life as well as my own. The words spoken out in hatred were the same words spoken in the deep South, Nazi Germany and to Matthew Shephard. The beginnings were “mere words,” but those words lead to actions. All of these words lead to the destruction of innocent lives. I wanted to run and hide, but I can no longer turn a blind eye to words that incite others to hate. Perhaps God is using this trial in my life to strengthen me by giving me the personal knowledge of what words can do to lives.
There have been times when I have witnessed words spoken in hatred and although I didn’t laugh or join in the “fun and games,” I didn’t open my mouth to voice my displeasure. Silence can be just as deadly as words spoken in hatred. Remaining silent when racial slurs or prejudices spew from venomous lips is just the same as if they were spoken with my own tongue.
I would like to make a public apology for all the times when I should have opened my mouth but remained safely silent. With the help of my Higher Power, hopefully I will have the courage to speak out against hatred no matter what the personal cost to me.
Annie's Thoughts and Recovery 