To the Editor,
Do you remember? Do you remember before the Nazis came? Before they banned books, then burned them? Before they wrecked your neighbor’s business, then took them away to a camp oven? Do you remember how you peeked out your curtain, glad it wasn’t you? Do you remember feeling ashamed for saying nothing?
Do you remember before the Taliban came, saying they were for god, religion, and nation? Do you remember when they banned books, then burned them? When they banned learning, school, and work, especially for girls and women?
Remember it now. Remember, there are always lots of wormy people who say they speak for god, who say things will be great again, who say you must follow their rules for your own good. Who say they must ban books, then burn them, then burn those people, those others, while you peek out the curtain, glad it isn’t you.
It will be easy to remember now; it’s happening again, in your little town, in your neighborhood, to your neighbors, to people you know, and eventually, to you.
Tom Hogue
Preston, Minn.