Speaking Out Against Evil: A Heart for William Keating

Today gave me hope. I was enormously proud of Representative William Keating from Massachusetts, who demanded decency from a depraved bully that misgendered Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware.

In an era where cruelty and hatred are alarmingly normalized, Mr. Keating’s words were a beacon of compassion and integrity. He stood his ground against bigotry and refused to allow hatefulness to go unanswered. His courage to speak out for another human being’s dignity is a rare act of decency that should be celebrated.

Mr. Keating will be remembered for many great things he has done and will do in his life, but this act of kindness, this defense of another human being, will surely be one of the moments that defines his legacy. His actions remind us of what true leadership looks like — not just in policy, but in humanity.

There is a famous poem by Pastor Martin Niemöller that so powerfully articulates the consequences of silence in the face of evil:

First They Came
by Pastor Martin Niemöller
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist.

Then 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 out for me.

Mr. Keating chose to speak out. He refused to remain silent while cruelty and bigotry tried to take hold. And in doing so, he gave all of us a beautiful gift of hope.

This heart is for him. It is my fervent hope that we draw inspiration from Mr. Keating’s courage. Vote for him. Donate to his campaign. And most importantly, take a moment to appreciate the tremendous integrity he showed to a fellow human being.

We need more voices like his. We need more hearts like his.

Let us be the ones who choose to speak out.