I spend a great deal of my day trying to figure out what to write about for my next story. Luckily for me, there’s rarely a day that passes without a hot-button issue being debated on one of my many social timelines.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve spent a great deal of time, perhaps more than usual, “exchanging ideas” about issues surrounding Gabrielle Douglas, Nate Parker, Chris Brown, Colin Kaepernick and more. I’ve noticed some repetitive counterarguments that often derail otherwise substantive conversations. I mean, that is the point, isn’t it?

I rounded up a few of the most frequent (and illogical) ways uncomfortable (or sadistic) commenters ruin productive discussions:

1. “Why now?”

This is the go-to line for Bill Cosby apologists and Parker defenders. They want to know why Cosby’s accusers came forward after decades of silence. Or why Parker’s rape trial is being discussed now.

And I just want to know, “Why not now?” You can’t be charged with certain alleged crimes after a certain amount of time, but we can’t discuss them either, even when the story is current in the news cycle? Even when a celebrity sits for interviews about his misdeeds? Should we all consult our calendars for an undefined expiration date before caring or commenting?

If an alleged victim doesn’t speak up immediately, then she should take it to her grave? Is that how this works? If a heinous crime is alleged to have taken place and there’s been no past accountability, is time a get-out-of-anyone-having-an-opinion free card?

Someone let me know. I’m confused.

2. “But white people allow it/don’t do …”

White people are not the gold standard. I repeat: White people are not the gold standard. That there are moviegoers who turn a blind eye to Woody Allen or Roman Polanski, or separate the man from his work of art, isn’t a valid reason for black people to look past the shenanigans or crimes allegedly or actually committed by another black person. We ain’t gotta “follow the leader.” We can think independently and hold black folk accountable, when necessary.