What's political apathy? Our very trusted wikipedia states that political apathy is public and/or individual indifference towards political events and movements.
When I was a tweleve or thirteen years old, Whoopi Goldberg presented the poem "First they came ..." at the Oscars. This poem sent shivers down my spine. Especially because it was read by a black female (making me think of the struggles faced by her ancestors and herself as a black female in america). This poem is attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group (Wikipedia). However, the precise origin of the poem is not known.
I have thought of this poem many times in my life, especially while I was getting my B'A in International Relations and lately with the state of affairs in our province.
Here is the poem as read and presented by Ms.Goldberg. I hope it inspires you to action.
First they came for the communists, and I did not say anything- because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the catholics, and I did not say anything- because I was a Protestant;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not say anything- because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not say anything- because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for the Blacks, and I did not say anything- beacuase I was not Black;
Then they came for me- and there was no one left to say anything.
