Thread by @rshereme

There is no neutrality in the face of evil.

The russian war and genocide against Ukrainians have changed me.

They killed three of my friends.

They have raped, tortured, castrated, and beheaded thousands.

They’ve destroyed the livelihoods of millions.

1/n

2/ I used to be tolerant and open to different points of view.

But now, my vision is more black and white.

The war became personal.

The pain became personal.

3/ When you are bombed almost every night for three years, when your country is invaded, when friends die— it is personal.

Every Ukrainian has lost someone.

To rockets.

To drones.

To war.

4/ Almost every day, you hear explosions.

You start the morning reading reports: more wounded, more dead, more civilian homes destroyed.

One of those buildings could be where your loved ones live.

5/ So when I meet someone who claims to be "neutral" about russia's war and genocide, I hold them accountable.

There is no neutrality in the face of evil.

6/ You can choose to remain neutral.

You can choose to stay silent.

But that choice defines you.

You are a coward.

You are a silent supporter.

And history will judge you as such.

7/ To end, let me quote those who understood this truth:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. To not speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."

8/ Elie Wiesel: "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

9/ Dante Alighieri (paraphrased): "The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality."

10/ If you’re still “neutral,” ask yourself why.

Because Ukrainians don’t have the luxury of neutrality.

We have to choose.

And we choose to fight.