The sounds of silence

A though-provoking feature by John Stroud on Nazi occupation survivor Tilly Maddux (“Dutch immigrant shares WWII stories from a child’s eye,” May 6, 2017, Glenwood Post Independent). For me, reading it was right in line with my recent experience of viewing the film “The Zookeeper’s Wife”.

I wonder if Maddux sees the parallels between the effects of the occupation and the current immigration crackdown in this country. Instead of hiding in hospitals and zoos, today’s victims hide in churches and schools.

I can’t recall where I read it, but the recollections of the Third Reich by a German pastor has stuck with me:

“First the social Democrats disappeared, but I was not a social Democrat, so I did not say anything.

Then the Communists disappeared, but I was not a Communist, so I did not say anything

Then the Gypsies disappeared, but I was not a Gypsy, so I did not say anything.

Then the Jews disappeared, but I was not a Jew, so I did not say anything.

Then I disappeared and there was no one left to say anything.”

Fred Malo Jr.

Carbondale