Letter: Silence Is Not Complicity

Published on: 10 Jun, 2020
Updated on: 10 Jun, 2020

From Barbara Ford

In response to: ‘To Remain Silent is to Remain Complicit’ Say Lib Dems On ‘Black Lives Matter’ Campaign

The problem with the “silence implies complicity” mantra is it leads to virtue-signalling, lip service and inaction as well as general debasement of discourse.

The current issue of peaceful protest versus violent protest, versus the risk of coronavirus transmission, is not an easy one to navigate and I or anyone not stating my or their agreement to somebody else’s statement on the subject does not mean (a) we are complicit in whatever that statement objects to or (b) we do not care about the topic.

Responses to Letter: Silence Is Not Complicity

Ben Paton Reply

June 10, 2020 at 2:10 pm

The law, in fact, entitles individuals to be silent in a number of circumstances.

The Lib Dems should read the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. Perhaps they should campaign to have it revoked?

And by what authority do the Lib Dems demand that anyone should be obliged to comment? Are they the ‘thought police’?

Or is this part of a reciprocal game of ‘othering’ anyone who does not ‘believe’ in their particular creed?
James McColl Reply

June 10, 2020 at 2:22 pm

Barbara Ford is quite right. Dreadful as the incident was, it is being properly treated as an alleged murder. Why did not the people watching and filming intervene?

Virtue signalling and general political correctness is in itself a restriction on free speech and thought. Colston’s statue represented part of Bristol’s past which at the time was considered legitimate. Opinions have changed but there is no need for such extreme action at a time when mass protests do indeed risk the further spread of Covid-19.
Sara Tokunaga Reply

June 10, 2020 at 3:41 pm

Has Mr McColl ever witnessed police going about their “rightful” business, disagreed with their actions and tried to intervene? Probably not. Add to this situation the fact the police were armed, not only physically but mentally.

In the USA police are quick to brandish their weapons and arrest anyone who they regard as a threat, be it real or imagined. There were three other police officers there. I would shout and plead but I would not physically attempt to stop them unless I was backed up by an army.
Jules Cranwell Reply

June 12, 2020 at 10:58 am

Barbara Ford, as sage and thoughtful as I always known her to be. Spot on.