You can do as you like, but for me it is a decent heuristic to not speak ill of the dead.
I, personally, really don’t enjoy reading about people using someone’s death or funeral as a platform for maligning their life, regardless of the accuracy and poignancy of the claims.
Would you bring up this discussion in front of a grieving family member? Do you think it impossible someone already in pain might read what is said on the internet?
There’s a concept I like that even the bitterest of enemies allow the dead to be buried in peace.
it is a decent heuristic to not speak ill of the dead
I take somewhat the opposite view: once someone is dead they can no longer be hurt by anything bad said about them. Defamation law also follows the same principle.
Not that I want to speak ill of Harold Bloom. I only knew him through reading The Western Canon, which I found a very rewarding read, and for his disdain for the Harry Potter mania, where I felt the same way.
Writing a short call-out comment on an anonymous internet forum is easy. Thinking deeply about the appropriate time and place to bring up and challenge a person’s perceived unethical past deeds is difficult.
Your feelings are really of no consequence compared to those who were victims. If you have a personal interaction to weigh in the positive side of the scales, speak now.
Comments
You can do as you like, but for me it is a decent heuristic to not speak ill of the dead.
I, personally, really don’t enjoy reading about people using someone’s death or funeral as a platform for maligning their life, regardless of the accuracy and poignancy of the claims.
Would you bring up this discussion in front of a grieving family member? Do you think it impossible someone already in pain might read what is said on the internet?
There’s a concept I like that even the bitterest of enemies allow the dead to be buried in peace.
I take somewhat the opposite view: once someone is dead they can no longer be hurt by anything bad said about them. Defamation law also follows the same principle.
Not that I want to speak ill of Harold Bloom. I only knew him through reading The Western Canon, which I found a very rewarding read, and for his disdain for the Harry Potter mania, where I felt the same way.
The law favors the idea that the dead are beyond harm.
Writing a short call-out comment on an anonymous internet forum is easy. Thinking deeply about the appropriate time and place to bring up and challenge a person’s perceived unethical past deeds is difficult.
Your feelings are really of no consequence compared to those who were victims. If you have a personal interaction to weigh in the positive side of the scales, speak now.