I've been noticing something lately that's not sitting well with me.
The idea and execution of loyalty as a virtue.
Loyalty is not dismissing bad behavior. It's not vehemently defending someone when they've done something blatantly wrong.
Loyalty is standing by someone despite their wrongs, but also letting them know that what they've done or what they are doing is unacceptable, if necessary.
There are so many people willing to dismiss things because it's a friend or family member doing it. I believe that this, above many other things, is one of the biggest disservices you can do to someone you love. Letting people get away with shitty things makes you, and them, shitty people.
In the end, defending someone despite their wrongdoings is creating, molding and enforcing a crappy, wholly unlikable person in both you and them. If this person simply can't accept criticism then they need therapy, not your unending enforcement of bad behavior.
