When Did Fans Become Accomplices?

Here's what I can't stop thinking about. Tyler Perry is being sued by two men. Two separate lawsuits. Mario Rodriguez is seeking $77 million. Derek Dixon is seeking $260 million. Both alleging sexual assault. Both laying out pretty specific details in court filings. And what did his fans do? They declared war on the accusers. "Always trying to take a successful Black man down." "I don't believe this. Praying for you, Tyler." "TP becoming too powerful and sprinkling too much good in the world, they are coming for him." I read these comments and I had to put my phone down for a second. These are real people. Real fans. Who saw allegations of sexual assault and immediately made it about... what? Protecting their favorite brand? Loyalty to a celebrity has become so twisted that we're treating alleged victims like the enemy. Let me ask you something. If someone you knew — a friend, a coworker, a family member — told you they were sexually assaulted, would you respond with "I don't believe you"? Would you question why they went back to work for their abuser? Would you call them a money-grabber? Probably not. I hope not. But when it's Tyler Perry? Suddenly all that basic human decency goes out the window. Suddenly it's "we need more evidence" and "this timing is suspicious" and "he said he made Black millionaires."