First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then 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 out for me

-Martin Niemoller

I’ve always been a fan of this poem. It reflects sentiments I’ve long held about; Speaking out against something I don’t like, Tough questioning in a business meeting, Getting in a friend’s face when they do something bad. If I don’t speak who will? Everyone does their part to repel evil. None of us can do it alone, but we all must do some.

If you agree with that notion, the same extends to environmental concerns too, right? Each of us does a tiny bit to save the environment. We each do a small part in saving the world. We each do a small part by voting. By showing kindness. By offering friendship. By sharing love.

A lot of my friends have been critical of my blog posts that are political. But if I don’t speak up, who will? My one little voice is part of the symphony of voices we hear every day, expressing their right to speak. A right we hold to the strictest of scrutiny. I not only have the right, but if you believe in what I am saying, I have an obligation. So do you.

I have tried to stop posting soliloquies on Facebook. And I try not to retweet anything that doesn’t come from a reputable source or is actual video. I reserve my words for this blog to take a more measured look at issues than the social media channels that reflect a nation addicted to screaming, paparazzi, click-bait, vitriol and hatred. We should be better than that.

So I speak up because someone has to. I speak up because it is my duty as an American. And I promise to defend anyone else’s right to speak up too, no matter how much I disagree with what they are saying, or doing. As long as I do, there is always someone left to speak.