Don’t Talk to Me or My Mumford & Sons

Reading is a dangerous activity nowadays. Reading the wrong book can get you canceled. Just ask Winston Marshall, guitarist of the band Mumford & Sons, who was canceled just this week after he talked about his interest in Andy Ngô’s book Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy.

The book, which exposes the radical left-wing movement, Antifa, has been subject to no small amount of controversy due to the legacy media’s love of left-wing militancy - just look at Assata Shakur and Che Guevara.

“Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man.” These were the words that made Marshall and his band the targets of an online hate campaign that was not too dissimilar from their nightly violence at the federal courthouse in Portland.

Supporters of New York Times journalist Taylor Lorenz might even describe it as a campaign of violence, given their rhetoric against Fox News’ Tucker Carlson for criticizing her work on his nightly show, if they were as generous to their political opponents with hyperbolic statements as they are to members of the liberal aristocratic class.

Dubbed a fascist by the Woke-o Haram, Marshall was forced into a difficult position and ultimately lacked the courage to stand his ground.

“Over the past few days I have come to better understand the pain caused by the book I endorsed,” said Marshall in a statement. “I have offended not only a lot of people I don’t know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates, and for that I am truly sorry.”

For this, Marshall took a leave of absence from his band to “examine his blindspots.”

“For now, please know that I realise how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approvals of hateful, divisive behaviour,” because describing terrorist activity for what it is is offensive to terrorists, evidently.

Do not talk to me or my Mumford and Sons ever again.

While many seek to criticize Ngô, an independent journalist in Portland who was subject to what many would call a “hate crime” when he was viciously pummelled with fists, kicks, and thrown projectiles while covering an Antifa march in his home city, this story isn’t about Ngô. It’s about Marshall’s belief in doing what’s right, and being forced to back down from it under pressure from his peers and undoubtedly those way above his pay grade.

They say that it’s important to speak truth to power. Where is the truth in cowing to the mob? Where is the truth in bending your knee to your peers, and to those who sign your paychecks; and in being coerced into vilifying a journalist for speaking the truth about the leftist mob? Such are the powers that be, and few are willing to speak truth to it.

Marshall’s actions have made him a lost cause. Not only did he lose his footing among the establishment when he promoted Ngô, he also lost whatever potential respect he stood to earn from the disenfranchised masses with his apology. “Pathetic” has been a resounding word used by those disappointed in seeing yet another person fold.

In the culture war, it’s necessary to stand your ground or else you’ll lose your footing. Marshall could’ve stood defiant against the onslaught of attacks against his character, fending off those who would dub him a “white supremacist” and a “fascist” for opposing Antifa’s antisocial violence. He had the backing of many, especially those who do not share the privilege of his massive platform as a musician and celebrity, to speak the truth.

When Marshall came out against Ngô, that alone was enough to burn his bridges to the countless millions who would wade through the swamp with him, and into the battleground. And people were willing to do just that. The disenfranchised masses are in need of heroes, and he could have answered that call.

Beyond that, Marshall - like anyone else - owes it to himself to be honest with his beliefs. His words might contain an apology, but he was coerced, and even his critics know it. It’s doubtful his opinions on Ngô, and on the culture war in general, changed over a few thousand angry messages calling for his head.

He apologized out of self-preservation, not because he suddenly saw the light in their endless accusations of “fascist!”

Were I in the same situation, and I have been, I would’ve told them to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. Tyrannizing someone into saying you’re not a tyrant has the opposite effect, and Marshall surely knows this - but he gave in instead of standing up for himself.

Marshall might as well have signed his own death warrant.

After all, tyrants don’t want you to actually agree with them. They just want your submission. It enables them to force themselves on others without any resistance and to hold you up as an example of what will happen if you refuse to surrender.

To that, I say “sic semper tyrannis.”

The only way to stop tyrants is to actively resist their tyranny. If there’s anything to be learned from Marshall’s apology, it’s that it’s not enough. They still want his head on a pike to parade around with. Will you be the next head, or will you fight back?

Marshall, if you truly repent your sins of upsetting the woke, you should stand by those principles. But if you deep down believe “f- those guys,” we will have your back and fight alongside you.

You can follow Ian Miles Cheong on Twitter @stillgray