Creating a Brave Space
Judith L Harrison 
"First they came...is a poetic verse regarding being present, showing up, standing for a set o values. It addresses the idea of "What is safety versus
My sister-in-law, remarked many years ago: “you either stand for something or you will fall for anything.”
“First they came…..is a poetic verse regarding being present, showing up, standing for a set of values. It addresses the idea of “what is safety versus what is required for safety“. In our most recent WellnessVie Classroom, we were exploring conversations that supported constructing difficult conversations with dignity and regard for all concerned. The result was awe-inspiring because no one position was made right or wrong. We learned how to speak AND listen in accordance with that which has deep meaning for each one respectively.
One of the participants, – Stephanie, made the following observation: “if we don’t speak for that which deeply matters for us, then there cannot be a safe space. We can only create from brave spaces and in so doing there is safety.”
It is also to be remembered that truth is found in honest, open dialogue.
Who is Martin Niemöller: He was a German theologian and Lutheran pastor. He is best known for his opposition to the Nazi regime during the late 1930s and for his widely quoted poem “First they came …”