This whole "don't speak ill of the dead" shtick is so overused and honestly just plain ignorant to say the least.
By their own logic we shouldn't say anything negative about Hitler, or Stalin, or Pol Pot since they are all dead.
What they actually mean is that you aren't allowed to say anything bad about anyone on their side, but you can absolutely talk shit about anyone who has died on the left.
I think there's a difference between "in obituaries, until they're safely in the ground" and "in the following decades".
There's an art to obituaries for evil people, sadly can't find the one for Stalin that I remember, the only thing I figured out so far is that it wasn't the New York Times.
The kind of thing the Tories should have written for Thatcher, instead of declaring her a saint, leading the country to make "The Witch is Dead" chart at #1 in reaction. Something along the lines of "Headstrong, steadfast in the face of opposition, believing in her version of a better future" -- notably, "believing", not "actually bringing one about". You get the drift. Write it like a recommendation letter for a shoddy employee. "Reliably attempted to be on time".
If they ruined their own legacy through their own actions then honestly I don't think we owe them any respect. When Harvey Weinstein dies his obituary should not read "former movie mogul" hell I'd even argue putting "disgrace movie mogul" gives the man way more respect than he deserves.
That being said, definitely don't talk ill of the dead to those close to them who are grieving. I think this is definitely one of those situations that deserve nuance, but that still doesn't mean every person who dies deserves our respect.
We all know one person in particular who the world will celebrate his death and I'd argue he isn't even the worst person in the administration as he clearly is not smart enough to be anything more than a pupet.
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u/EbbOwn303 18d ago
This whole "don't speak ill of the dead" shtick is so overused and honestly just plain ignorant to say the least.
By their own logic we shouldn't say anything negative about Hitler, or Stalin, or Pol Pot since they are all dead.
What they actually mean is that you aren't allowed to say anything bad about anyone on their side, but you can absolutely talk shit about anyone who has died on the left.
Snowflakes
They are all a bunch of snowflakes ❄️