I believe you are right. Too many people view kindness as a weakness. I think it is associated with giving in.

Kind people are STRONG. It takes a lot of strength to be kind to someone who isn’t going to be kind back. It takes a lot of strength to treat others with empathy and caring when many of them will never care for you (or anyone).
Being kind is not giving in and showing weakness. It is showing a strength in caring about this planet and humanity.

Kind people look at our world as being expansive and open to their hearts. They feel. Unkind people have a perception that is narrow and their hearts are closed so much they don't see others and feel very little.