//Jensen never actually protects Jared from jack shit. Not unless he can make a "show" of it at a con panel where all the J2 fans get to go "awwwwww!" //
I mostly agree with way you that Jensen should have done more to protect Jared, like Jared has done for Jensen online and in a more visible way. But, I did want to point out that at cons, not on stage but in autos and photo ops where not everyone is seeing it, Jensen has frozen out fans who he knew have shit on Jared. We only learned about it from the person who got burned or one or two people who saw it. So, I don’t believe it’s true that Jensen has only ever stood up for Jared in a performative way.
The above being said, I do legitimately wish Jensen has, even a handful of times, called out people for hating on Jared online. He could have called it out from the con stage: “if you’re hating on my boy, Jared, online, do better. He’s a great guy." That said, every so often could have been helpful. He could keep it simple, say something like this on stage, or on a post on Twitter, or whatever.
I think he comes from the school of "it’s better not to comment on or acknowledge any hate" online, which I do understabd to an extent. But, this mentality also adds to what we’ve all been saying about Jensen not being a leader. Had in the sand approach.
I like to think that if I was famous, if my coworker was getting a ton of unwarranted hate online, especially if they were a decent person or we were friends, I’d call it out. Even if it was a vague, "I love working with this person, they’re my bestie, and anyone who wants to talk shit isn’t a fan of me either." Something like that.
One other thing to consider could be that people feel that acknowledging the hate online, makes it more tangible and might make it more known to people in real life,more visible, instead of it staying in over-invested fan circles. But, when online content is more visible just about anything else these days, I think you need to make a statement about shitty fan behaviors. And make it general if you have to.
Yeah Jensen may be a little braver when he sees hate in person, or at least he used to. I've heard a few of those stories before but from what I understand that was while the show was still on the air. I think when it comes to social media and his online posting especially he always plays it safe and noncommittal. Especially in the last several years. JDM, on the contrary, made no bones about defending Jared because he doesn't care what people think. I had so much respect for JDM, Charlie Chapen and Billy Burke when that all happened to Jared at the Chappell Roan concert. I respect people that don't necessarily care if everyone likes them, don't constantly play it safe and try to play all sides in a desperate attempt to be popular with EVERYONE. That's a lesson Jensen could learn, imho. As long as you want to be absolutely everyone's favorite boy, you'll always look like a coward that doesn't stand for anything.
