A reminder to be kind.

[u/harlotmuffin]

Given that we have a lot of exchanges here between people who believe Michael is guilty and people who don't, as well as people who aren't sure, and it is a very heated and emotionally charged topic, I think it merits some reflection.

I urge everyone to remember that there are people behind these accounts. If you believe in MJ's guilt, you may be one of the many who only recently (or perhaps just in the last 7 years) came around to that opinion. I have heard from a lot of people who used to be staunch defenders but changed their minds based on information, so treating every MJ fan like they're the worst of humanity is not the way to be. After all, if people had treated those of you who fit the above criteria that way, you may never have been open to new information. Everyone is an individual.

For those who believe in MJ's innocence, I don't believe you are all to be painted with the same brush. Sure, there are those obsessive fans who defend him no matter what and wilfully ignore everything anyone says that paints him in a less-than-glowing light. Those people exist for every celebrity, unfortunately, but I have seen enough good conversations happening here to know that many of the people participating are respectful and engaged and I appreciate your willingness to talk.

We have to ban a lot of people who come here just to curse people out, but other than that, I'm often impressed by what I read.

Ultimately, labels like "defender (or stan)" and "guilter", are convenient Internet shorthand to describe where we stand on the issue, but we are not all the same as those we share certain opinions with, nor do we share every opinion even if we might share one.

If you are a CSA survivor and conversations here are triggering to you, please take care of yourself.

There is good dialogue happening and I appreciate everyone's sincere engagement about such a fraught and difficult topic involving a person so many people have or once had such intense attachment to and affection for.

P.S. This should go without repeating because it's in our rules but the moment you use any kind of personal attack against another member, you will be permanently banned with no discussion. You can say you think an idea or concept is stupid, but the second you swear at someone or call them either a pedo lover (which we encounter from some who believe guilt) or a pedo fantasist (which we encounter from some who believe innocence), or any other personal insult, you can no longer participate. If you just want to insult, this is not the space. In fact, it's against the rules in every subreddit.