Our Faves Can Be Problematic
March 9, 2015(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
[Trigger warning: Mentions sexual assault and systematic violence.]
Our faves (short for favorites) can be some of the most important folks in our lives. Whether they are our family, friends, or role models, they hold special places in our hearts.
Can you think of a time when you were talking to someone, and you were ready to break down something problematic that a third person did, and the person you were talking to completely shut down the conversation because of their love and admiration for that other party? These situations can be annoying. But they happen a lot, and many of us refuse to address the issues that can arise with people we care about.
When you care about someone, it can be difficult to navigate critiquing their problematic behavior. But why is it so hard? We have no shame or hesitance in critiquing the behaviors of co-workers, of neighbors, and of acquaintances. But once people reach a certain level of love in our lives, we stop being able to call out those same behaviors.