Unit 3: Genocide in the 20th Century

Jews photographed at Auschwitz II Birkenau before “selection”.
Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-N0827-318 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en, via Wikimedia Commons

First 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 for me.

Global Context: Fairness and development

Key concept: Systems

Related concepts: Identity, violence

Statement of inquiry: Political systems can use violence to harm the security and freedom of individuals and societies because of their identity.