For Kilmar Abrego Garcia and everybody in the Salvadoran prisons; for Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Öztürk and every protestor in custody; for all of the "home growns" whom we are told are up next...
Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg said a few weeks ago on BlueSky, "No more Niemollering." I hadn't ever thought deeply about the self-interest embedded in that quote. It's used so often to tell us we should speak up for others because we might become the other. But really, we should speak up because we should speak up.
I earnestly love how meaningful the Niemoller quote has been for so many in this time, and I'll never discourage anybody from sharing it, and I think we can push each other (as you do here, and as I know Rabbi Danya does) towards the 'yes and...' Yes, we could be next, but more importantly, if it has happened to anybody they have already claimed a portion of our shared humanity.
I'm sorry it's very funny that autocorrect changed "Rabbi Danya" in my reply to "Rabbi Danish," which would be a very funny character in a food-based cartoon series about the Abrahamic religions
- They can’t take away our imagination and our ability to love no matter what - if we make that choice.
Since 2017, I’ve read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” - and his account of how he created a fortifying path for himself while in Auschwitz - I’ve read it several times.
As your essay shows, we need to use all our resources to make meaning of these treacherous times, and to stay engaged no matter how painful that is.
Watching officials brazenly discuss state sponsored human trafficking in the Oval Office makes my skin crawl. El Salvador is a signatory to the Rome Statute, how long before the ICC issues a warrant for Bukele's arrest?
Beautiful, thank you. I try to keep an even keel, remember this is a long fight, and not get too worked up about dumb comments or bills that will never pass that are all about grandstanding. But what's happened to Kilmar Garcia and the plans to expand the unlawful disappearing of immigrants and activists with the hope to move on the US citizens absolutely keeps me up at night.
Whenever I think about it, I feel like getting hit by a truck. I try (sometimes more successfully than in other moments) to remember that feeling is a tether to others.
I also thought about the Niemoeller piece, but even more was deeply moved by the imagery that made the nightmare so much more accessible to all who want to understand. Grateful!
Thank you Gail. That's what I was trying to process the suddenness of the disappearances. For everybody who has been taken, before it was the worst day of their life it was just a day, and the banality of the moment before is what connects me to them.
Having been "baptised" in Holocaust history to the point of PTSD, I've been screaming Rughead Nazi since 2015...clearly to no avail. Hoping your platform and voice really make a difference.
I have been writing my congressman, Michael Baumgartner, and complaining about tariffs and economic chaos. I have focused on the money stuff because I feel like that is the only thing this church going Christian man cares about.
But the human rights violations are coming for us all, and I fear my letters and phone calls are not going to stop the deportations. I am not sure what actions to take.
Please continued to write and inspire and organize. We all need to.
This is terrifying and beautiful and heartbreaking. I called my reps to protest. It feels like so little, but it’s something I can do for those people, speak up on their behalf, talk about them…
Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg said a few weeks ago on BlueSky, "No more Niemollering." I hadn't ever thought deeply about the self-interest embedded in that quote. It's used so often to tell us we should speak up for others because we might become the other. But really, we should speak up because we should speak up.
I earnestly love how meaningful the Niemoller quote has been for so many in this time, and I'll never discourage anybody from sharing it, and I think we can push each other (as you do here, and as I know Rabbi Danya does) towards the 'yes and...' Yes, we could be next, but more importantly, if it has happened to anybody they have already claimed a portion of our shared humanity.
I'm sorry it's very funny that autocorrect changed "Rabbi Danya" in my reply to "Rabbi Danish," which would be a very funny character in a food-based cartoon series about the Abrahamic religions
I think she'd be all over that, based on the personality that comes through her social media presence. 😄
💚
If there were an emoji for a heart crying I would put it right here.
That's how my heart has felt. I can't stop thinking about the moment right before.
Garrett, a beautiful piece of writing.
- They can’t take away our imagination and our ability to love no matter what - if we make that choice.
Since 2017, I’ve read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” - and his account of how he created a fortifying path for himself while in Auschwitz - I’ve read it several times.
As your essay shows, we need to use all our resources to make meaning of these treacherous times, and to stay engaged no matter how painful that is.
Thank you Jane, so much. It's so easy to become uprooted from those fortifying path, isn't it?
Damn, Garrett. This is devastating and gorgeous and TRUE. Thank you.
Share widely, everyone!
Thank you, Asha.
Watching officials brazenly discuss state sponsored human trafficking in the Oval Office makes my skin crawl. El Salvador is a signatory to the Rome Statute, how long before the ICC issues a warrant for Bukele's arrest?
That skin crawling feeling is important to sit with (though it's so hard); it's a reminder that we still have our hearts for one another.
Thank you for this beautiful piece of writing! I will try to make sure it spurs me to good action and not just to crying in my office.
The crying (in all sorts of places) is important too. This is a time to grow our hearts, and then, as you note, let those hearts lead us into action.
Beautiful, thank you. I try to keep an even keel, remember this is a long fight, and not get too worked up about dumb comments or bills that will never pass that are all about grandstanding. But what's happened to Kilmar Garcia and the plans to expand the unlawful disappearing of immigrants and activists with the hope to move on the US citizens absolutely keeps me up at night.
Whenever I think about it, I feel like getting hit by a truck. I try (sometimes more successfully than in other moments) to remember that feeling is a tether to others.
I also thought about the Niemoeller piece, but even more was deeply moved by the imagery that made the nightmare so much more accessible to all who want to understand. Grateful!
Thank you Gail. That's what I was trying to process the suddenness of the disappearances. For everybody who has been taken, before it was the worst day of their life it was just a day, and the banality of the moment before is what connects me to them.
Having been "baptised" in Holocaust history to the point of PTSD, I've been screaming Rughead Nazi since 2015...clearly to no avail. Hoping your platform and voice really make a difference.
"When they came for the socialists, I said nothing because I wasn't a socialist...." Martin Niemoeller.
It's been really fascinating to learn more about his story, and how deeply he benefitted (as do so many of us) from repeating the lies.
Yes, as do so many of us.
Absolutely!
Glad to hear I'm not the only one deeply shaken by these deportations. It's very scary stuff.
I can't stop thinking about them!
Thank you. This piece made the despair squid recede just a bit.
I have been writing my congressman, Michael Baumgartner, and complaining about tariffs and economic chaos. I have focused on the money stuff because I feel like that is the only thing this church going Christian man cares about.
But the human rights violations are coming for us all, and I fear my letters and phone calls are not going to stop the deportations. I am not sure what actions to take.
Please continued to write and inspire and organize. We all need to.
This is terrifying and beautiful and heartbreaking. I called my reps to protest. It feels like so little, but it’s something I can do for those people, speak up on their behalf, talk about them…
I HAVE quoted Niemoeller often enough, and solidarity is my theme. But i understand, for sure, the point you are making. We are all one.