"first they came . . " is a famous poem written by a german pastor about the cowardice of people in germany after the nazis' rise to power. the nazi began to kill their chosen targets, group by group but people didn't seem to care unless they were personally affected.

read the attached poem and in a 5-7 sentence paragraph, answer this question.

first they came for the socialists, and i did not speak out—
because i was not a socialist.

then they came for the trade unionists, and i did not speak out—
because i was not a trade unionist.

then they came for the jews, and i did not speak out—
because i was not a jew.

then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

1. what was the author's purpose for this poem and how can you apply his message to our world today? where do you see the same type of apathy happening?