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 the Hindus, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Hindu.

Then they came for the Chinese, and I did not speak out— Because I was not Chinese.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

We cannot be complicit through silence. Hate and bigotry have no place in our community.

— Hindu-Jewish Coalition

Dear Friend,

The rise in hate crimes in our country is disturbing and unacceptable. The below news of the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the severe wounding of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot, leaves me deeply anguished. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families during this time of unimaginable trial. But they deserve more from me - they deserve more from us.

We cannot let hate like this, no matter who or what the source, go by without condemnation, without outrage, without a renewed determination to ourselves be activists in the furtherance of our highest values of compassion, empathy and love toward others. We are America, our values are not meant just for slogans, songs or pledges, we are called to live those values, to fight for them, to sacrifice for them. From soldiers, to activists, to those who fought for the rights and inclusion of Irish immigrants in the 1800's to those who fought against Japanese American internment in the 1940's to those who marched and demonstrated for civil rights in the 1950s and 60s - we all have benefited in this nation from those who stood against hate, fear, bigotry and ignorance. We are a great nation because we have risen above such vile strains to a greater and greater manifestation of our truth, our promise, our hope.

Now must not be different. Every generation has an obligation to give the best measure of their love to this nation. Love is not a being word it is an active one.

These two men, these two, human beings, were savagely singled out because of who they were - immigrants. There were verbally insulted and then shot. We can not let such an incident go by without our notice, without our condemnation, without our response.

I hope you will share this article. I hope you will take a moment to let others know what happened and to let others know that you condemn it.

Our voices matter.

Like many of you, I have been witness to too much senseless violence and perhaps like some of you, I have not been perfect in my responses.

I confess I have even struggled with how to respond and I confess I have at times felt just overwhelmed by the unrelenting presence of violence and hate in our world. Amidst it al though, I have learned;

that silence is surrender;

that indifference is complicity;

and that

one defiant voice - even if it shakes or is weary,

one moment taken to register dissent or outrage - even if it seems small against the grandeur of the injustice, or

one action - even if it doesn't heal the incurable pain of another,

it does make a difference.

Please, speak up against the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the shooting of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot. Let others know of this injustice and that you condemn such hatred - let them know that you won't be indifferent, that you will help continue the best of our American traditions.

In Solidarity,
Cory

NYTimes: Hate Crime Is Feared as 2 Indian Engineers Are Shot in Kansas