@dalias to be polite and respectful, is not to be subservient. You can be those two things and stand your ground, be direct and say your thoughts, even veemently. We just don't need to dehumanize, to insult, dogpile, be obnoxious, or to behave even worse.
I'm not perfect, and I'm sure I did wrong to some, but I do aspire to strive for good and positive human interactions.