Why do nice people get so much disrespect in this world?

Me i grew up in a rough Neighborhood (1980s Brooklyn) and ide have to say it wasent my choice to ive there and when i was comin up i didnt necisarilly know what was going on with things in my life so i more of just whent with the program and tried to act hard most people put up a tough exterior so that they can better protect themselves from the world.