Before You Defend Someone

Someone posts a warning
about how a popular person
is truly a terrible person.

Other people jump all over
the poster,
telling her she’s full of sh*t
and is merely a hater.

Then, usually within days,
that popular person
says or does something
that confirms
the warning,
that shows everyone
they ARE a terrible person.

This happens so often
it is almost a cliché.
I WAIT for the reveal.

And then
I wait for
these same defenders
to defend
the next terrible person.

Before you defend someone,
ensure you know,
you TRULY know
they’re innocent.

Because if they’re not innocent,
at best,
you’ll look like
a dumba$$
who can’t be trusted.

At worst,
people will assume
you’re also guilty
of whatever the person
you defended
has said or done.