POETIC POLITICAL HARBINGER

I Did Not Vote Them Out

The rewards of complacency

Image by the author

First, they demonized the immigrants, and I did not vote them out — because my family immigrated generations ago.

Soon they made a narrow interpretation of their holy book into laws, and I did not vote them out — because I did not care if the church overruled the state.

Then they made women into second-class citizens, and I did not vote them out — because their wombs did not affect me.

Then I saw them attack my Capitol to overthrow the elected president, and I did not vote them out — because “leaders” said my eyes had deceived me.

Finally, a minority of citizens manipulated an antiquated and unfair system to install an autocratic dictator as president, and my vote didn’t matter — because I had done nothing to make it count.

With thanks to Martin Niemöller