Posted by
philosophocon on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 1:39:13 PM
The following quote you’ve probably heard before is generally attributed to Pastor Niemoeller, a political prisoner of the Nazis on Hitler’s direct order:
First they came for the communists,
and I did not speak out,
Because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I did not speak out,
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I did not speak out,
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Next they came for the Catholics,
and I did not speak out,
Because I was not a Catholic.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left,
To speak out for me.
It was brought to mind to me today as I read an article quoting a book by a Zimbabwean author, who was either intentionally or unintentionally paraphrasing Niemoeller but in respect to Mugabe.
“In Zimbabwe, when the ZANU (PF) government targeted farmers for eviction, harassment and murder, industrialists, retailers, bankers and most city folks ignored the plight of the commercial farmer and even more so that of the farm workers.
“It’s the farmers’ problems; ZANU (PF) does not want a bank, supermarket, hotel or factory,” so the city dwellers thought. “Besides, the land issue is about redressing a colonial imbalance,” they rationalised, “Mugabe only wants land, not buildings, houses or businesses.”
When ZANU (PF) took the first black and white owned farms, Zimbabweans stood by and watched. The country observed with its eyes wide shut and no one went to the farmer’s aid. Then ZANU (PF) misappropriated black owned banks and sycophantic supporters applauded with a deafening silence to the printing of money and handouts from the RBZ.
For as long as ZANU (PF) pilfers private citizens' property and criminalises the owners, progressive Zimbabweans should now circle their wagons and boycott institutions that were acquired through violence, crime and political blackmail.”
Anyone care to attempt to apply this sentiment to the situation closer to home? There’s a prize for the best entry.
Well no, not really, but I would be interested in reading them if you would be so kind.
http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/sep16_2009.html#Z17