Ein Mann weniger Worte

My father was a man of few words. Always well spoken.

My father was a cautious man. Cautious about sharing his thoughts freely.

My father had a life long distrust in the public space, the public opinion.

He had a story he told me again and again. About the twelve years of the Nazi regime in Germany. About his best childhood friend, a boy in his neighborhood.

They grew up together and played together, visiting each other in their homes, and in all these years, throughout this dark perid in their lives, the two boys never talked about politics.

When the war ended my father found out that his friend’s home, like his own family was Anti-Nazi. My father had no idea. Both families knew better than to risk their lives by openly expressing their opinion.

How did this effect the following generation? Today’s generation?

How do we navigate a climate that asks us not to be bystanders. To say something when we see something?

On election day of 2016 I posted a warning on my Facebook page. One response claimed that I was misreading the situation. Exaggerating and applying the lessons I’ve learned from Germany’s past incorrectly.

In the time that followed more voices spoke up about the dangers to our democracy. Today these voices are louder than ever.

We are still able to raise our voice. Still able to speak our truth. It is still possible to make a case for a just world. We can openly talk about the equality and liberty we want for all peoples.

And if we don’t raise our voice? If we don’t speak our mind?

That’ll be the moment we will be silenced. For a long time. Children growing up during those dark times will learn not to speak their mind. Not to share what they in their heart know to be true. I know, because my father was one of these children.

As his daughter I need courage to stand up for what I believe in. But courage is all it takes. For now.

Don’t be silenced! Raise your voice! Speak up!

Vote in the Tuesday November 5 election!