ID: photo of an illuminated vertical street billboard at night, on it is bold text “SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO FIGHT FOR YOU IN ROOMS YOU AREN’T IN”
ID: photo of an illuminated vertical street billboard at night, on it is bold text “SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO FIGHT FOR YOU IN ROOMS YOU AREN’T IN”
IME it’s mostly culturally ingrained behavior, and usually an inverse relationship; i.e., people who will defend you when you’re not around often clown on you while you’re in the room, and the people who cut you down in your absence are often your strongest ally in person.
I’ve stopped clowning on my friends who are minorities for the time being. Too many assholes see you having fun with someone and interpret it to mean you’re in their side.
The clowning will return when the situation has improved!