Mourning Maggie?

In the few short hours since the death of Margaret Thatcher a number of posts have appeared on my Facebook newsfeed along the lines of "Show some respect, she was still a person". It got me thinking about how we mourn, and how the deceased informs that process. I've touched on it here a little after the death of Christopher Hitchens, where I argued that it was inappropriate to say RIP for him.

As a public figure, I believe that it is not only appropriate, but necessary to point out that Thatcher has been a hugely divisive figure. Indeed, for many, Thatcher will be remembered as the woman who destroyed their industries and savaged communities, creating divisions that are still painful today.

There is a temptation at times like these to almost deify the dead. To make it clear, Thatcher was no angel, and we need to be able to say that. To ignore the bad political decisions she made is disingenuous to those who have been, and are still being, affected by those same decisions. We may weep for Thatcher, but what about the generation of youngsters who've grown up in old industrial communities where jobs are in low supply? Personally, that is a much sorrier case, and more deserving of my laments.

I respect Thatcher for reaching the top - I don't think I can remember any other women who has seemed at all likely to make PM ever since. Fair play to her for that.

I don't recall an outpouring of sadness at the deaths of more unpopular leaders - Kim Jong Il, Hugo Chavez etc, even if there has been a solid base of support amongst their own subjects, like Chavez did.

As I said at the start, how we mourn (or not) is affected by who the person who has died. Just as importantly, the context in which we speak of the dead. It would be inappropriate to rock up to the front doors of her children and tell them that she was a terrible political leader who has ruined lives. They would be entirely delusional if they believed that everybody agreed with everything she did and said, but I really doubt that reading about other people's disagreements with her political conduct will increase their sadness at her passing.

I didn't agree with her as a political leader and I can't say that I am particularly sad to see that she has died. I wish comfort on her family, and good judgement on those who will appraise her time in government.