First they came for the jews and i was silent

Poetry Analysis

Peer Post #1

First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

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

“First They Came for the Jews” by Martin Niemoller, a German man living during the Nazi invasion, is a poem that has impacted me and my beliefs for many years. I originally came across this poem when watching an episode of One Tree Hill in high school in which a character references the song “Re-gaining Unconsciousness” by NOFX. I was intrigued by the lyrics and wanted to look them up. I found that the idea of the song originated with this poem from Niemoller who wrote it in opposition to the Nazi state. In the poem, he states how he was silent while “they” came for others because it did not affect him personally. When finally, they came for him, there was no one left that stood up for him just as he had not for other people. The poem’s meaning is that silence makes those expressing injustice stronger and if we do not voice opposing opinions, they win. The speaker, being a man who served in the German Navy, yet vocally opposed Hitler during his reign, is a powerful element of this poem because it gives weight to the meaning of the poem. Neimoller witnessed and experienced firsthand what happens when a society blindly follows those in power and gives warning that if we do not stand up and fight for our beliefs, no one will. Furthermore, the setting of this poem being written during Nazi Germany is an important element because the Holocaust is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, horrific event in history. The meaning behind the poem, coming from a tragic learning experience and written by someone who lived during the time, resonated as a critical lesson for me.

The message of the poem by Niemoller qualifies as art because it speaks of an event from a different perspective giving new light to the topic, speaks to a large group of people, and is a message that will transcend time and be relevant for future generations. Niemoller was German, and admits his complacency and silence, during the beginning of Hitler’s regime. This is different because much of the acknowledged art and books about the Holocaust are from Jewish perspectives instead of those who participated or silently watched during the invasion. Niemoller’s thoughts speak to a “large group” because its narrative tells of how even if one particular thing does not affect you personally, something eventually might. The poem allows the reader to realize that if we do not stand together for someone(s) else, no one will be there for us either. This is a message that will influence all generations because there will always be injustice and reasons to voice opposition to it. Art has a special way of influencing you and changing you and this poem has done that for me. I remember the first time I read it and can recall thinking how insightful it was. It has transformed me by influencing me to be outspoken and fight for what I believe in, not only because I may need others to stand up for me one day, but because the poem reminds me of the detrimental consequences that could occur if we all stay silent.

Peer Post #2

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

The poem, “I, Too,” by Hughes Langston was introduced to me by a high school English teacher that emphasized a constant theme of equality throughout her course. This poem addresses the theme of equality through perseverance during the 1920’s, an era plagued with Jim Crow laws. Just like during that era, this poem resonates today because our current American society continues to struggle with establishing equality for all. This poem is written from the perspective of an African American male who is affected by racial segregation. The speaker understands the 1920’s social climate but this doesn’t stop his perseverance towards equality. Imagery used in this poem progresses much like the equality of African Americans after reconstruction. The poems beginning “I, too, sing America,” recognizes his right to be an American despite being the “darker brother.” The first stanza illustrates an early America where segregation exists in homes as African Americans must remove themselves from the dining room and retreat to the kitchen, out of sight. “But I laugh and eat well and grow strong” captures how African Americans self-educated, united and rose up against this oppression. The second stanza continues the progression as the speaker is no longer confined to the kitchen, they’re now at the table and equal. The last stanza demonstrates the speakers heightened sense of self, as an American and as a man. Today, equality with race and beyond struggles to be achieved. This poem teaches us all from an oppressed framework that through perseverance in the face of adversity, progress with equality for all can still be reached.

You

must

read

through

and

comment

on

at

least

2

of

your

peers'

posts

to

complete

this

exercise.

Peer Post #1

First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left

to speak out for me.

“First They Came for the Jews” by Martin Niemoller, a German man living during the Nazi

invasion, is a poem that

has impacted me and my beliefs for many years.

I originally came across this poem when watching an episode of

One Tree Hill in high school in which a character references the song “Re

-

gaining Unconsciousness” by NOFX.

I

was intr

igued by the lyrics and wanted to look them up.

I found that the idea of the song originated with this poem

from Niemoller who wrote it in opposition to the Nazi state.

In the poem, he states how he was silent while “they”

came for others because it did

not affect him personally.

When finally, they came for him, there was no one left that

stood up for him just as he had not for other people.

The poem’s meaning is that silence makes those expressing

injustice stronger and if we do not voice opposing opin

ions, they win.

The speaker, being a man who served in the

German Navy, yet vocally opposed Hitler during his reign, is a powerful element of this poem because it gives

weight to the meaning of the poem.

Neimoller witnessed and experienced firsthand what

happens when a society

blindly follows those in power and gives warning that if we do not stand up and fight for our beliefs, no one

will.

Furthermore, the setting of this poem being written during Nazi Germany is an important element because the

Holocau

st is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, horrific event in history.

The meaning behind the poem,

coming from a tragic learning experience and written by someone who lived during the time, resonated as a critical

lesson for me.

The message of t

he poem by Niemoller qualifies as art because it speaks of an event from a different perspective

giving new light to the topic, speaks to a large group of people, and is a message that will transcend time and be

relevant for future generations.

Niemoller

was German, and admits his complacency and silence, during the

beginning of Hitler’s regime. This is different because much of the acknowledged art and books about the Holocaust

are from Jewish perspectives instead of those who participated or silently wat

ched during the invasion.

Niemoller’s

thoughts speak to a “large group” because its narrative tells of how even if one particular thing does not affect you

personally, something eventually might.

The poem allows the reader to realize that if we do not st

and together for

someone(s) else, no one will be there for us either.

This is a message that will influence all generations because

there will always be injustice and reasons to voice opposition to it.

Art has a special way of influencing you and

changin

g you and this poem has done that for me.

I remember the first time I read it and can recall thinking how

insightful it was.

It has transformed me by influencing me to be outspoken and fight for what I believe in, not only

because I may need others to sta

nd up for me one day, but because the poem reminds me of the detrimental

consequences that could occur if we all stay silent.

You must read through and comment on at least 2 of your peers' posts to complete this

exercise.

Peer Post #1

First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left

to speak out for me.

“First They Came for the Jews” by Martin Niemoller, a German man living during the Nazi invasion, is a poem that

has impacted me and my beliefs for many years. I originally came across this poem when watching an episode of

One Tree Hill in high school in which a character references the song “Re-gaining Unconsciousness” by NOFX. I

was intrigued by the lyrics and wanted to look them up. I found that the idea of the song originated with this poem

from Niemoller who wrote it in opposition to the Nazi state. In the poem, he states how he was silent while “they”

came for others because it did not affect him personally. When finally, they came for him, there was no one left that

stood up for him just as he had not for other people. The poem’s meaning is that silence makes those expressing

injustice stronger and if we do not voice opposing opinions, they win. The speaker, being a man who served in the

German Navy, yet vocally opposed Hitler during his reign, is a powerful element of this poem because it gives

weight to the meaning of the poem. Neimoller witnessed and experienced firsthand what happens when a society

blindly follows those in power and gives warning that if we do not stand up and fight for our beliefs, no one

will. Furthermore, the setting of this poem being written during Nazi Germany is an important element because the

Holocaust is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most, horrific event in history. The meaning behind the poem,

coming from a tragic learning experience and written by someone who lived during the time, resonated as a critical

lesson for me.

The message of the poem by Niemoller qualifies as art because it speaks of an event from a different perspective

giving new light to the topic, speaks to a large group of people, and is a message that will transcend time and be

relevant for future generations. Niemoller was German, and admits his complacency and silence, during the

beginning of Hitler’s regime. This is different because much of the acknowledged art and books about the Holocaust

are from Jewish perspectives instead of those who participated or silently watched during the invasion. Niemoller’s

thoughts speak to a “large group” because its narrative tells of how even if one particular thing does not affect you

personally, something eventually might. The poem allows the reader to realize that if we do not stand together for

someone(s) else, no one will be there for us either. This is a message that will influence all generations because

there will always be injustice and reasons to voice opposition to it. Art has a special way of influencing you and

changing you and this poem has done that for me. I remember the first time I read it and can recall thinking how

insightful it was. It has transformed me by influencing me to be outspoken and fight for what I believe in, not only

because I may need others to stand up for me one day, but because the poem reminds me of the detrimental

consequences that could occur if we all stay silent.