Why We Must Stand Together

In my former life, I was a Ph.D. student (I left indefinitely during my first pregnancy) and an organizer for social justice at the Jewish Council of Urban Affairs in Chicago.  Much of my work centered around housing issues, specifically housing for the poorest of the poor, or public housing.  Few were interested in becoming intimately involved with the dwellers of Chicago's severely neglected, rat and crime infested high-rises where families struggled to survive.  I shared the poem below with those hesitant to get involved. I think it is an important one to read whenever we think that an issue is not MY issue.  Whether we decide to birth at home or in a hospital, with or without an epidural, assisted or unassisted, birth choice is an issue that touches us all, women and men.

First They Came for the Jews

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.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

If I rewrote the poem, it would go something like this:
First they came for the unassisted birthers, but I did not speak out, because I do not free-birth.  Then they came for those who birth at home with lay midwives, but I would would not speak out, because I would not have a home-birth with a lay midwife.  Then they came for those who birthed with Certified Professional Midwives, and I would not speak out, because I would not have a home-birth with a CPM.  And then they came for those who birthed in birth centers and with Certified Nurse Midwives, but I would not speak out because I would not have a birth in a birth center or with a CNM.  And then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

Comments

[Doulala]

Your version of the poem really speaks to me. Thank you for the important reminder.

[shegothipslikecinderella]

Wow... Your version is so awesome. I am a UCer, so I guess 'they'll' come for me first. ;) All the more reason to work my butt off. If I can 'save' myself, maybe I can help 'save' you...