In this quote, Ida B. Wells is highlighting the moral responsibility of individuals who witness injustices, such as lynching, yet choose to remain silent. By labeling those who disapprove but do not speak out as "accomplices," she implies that silence in the face of wrongdoing enables the continuation of such acts. This complicity, either by inaction or by passive acceptance, undermines the moral authority of those who oppose lynching and dilutes the efficacy of the anti-lynching movement.
Wells suggests that silence can be as harmful as participation, as it fails to challenge the prevailing attitudes and social norms that perpetuate violence and racial terror. Without vocal opposition, the perpetrators of lynching can operate without fear of accountability, and societal complacency can reinforce the status quo.
This silence hurts the anti-lynching cause by creating an environment where such acts are normalized, diminishing the perceived urgency and importance of addressing the issue. It also isolates those who are actively fighting against lynching, making their efforts more difficult because they lack widespread support and solidarity from others in their communities. To build a strong anti-lynching movement, Wells underscores the need for collective action and vocal dissent against injustices, rather than quiet disapproval.