Capitulation Doesn’t Win You Respect—Just Lost Ground

Lately, I’ve been watching a troubling trend where organizations that once stood firm on matters of Justice and Human Rights start softening their stances—maybe out of fear, political pressure, or the hope that appeasement will buy them peace. The most recent example is the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), particularly under its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt.

The ADL has a long history of fighting antisemitism and defending civil rights—not just for the Jewish community, but for all communities under threat. As someone who served this country in uniform and as a Black man who’s been on the front lines of social struggle, I’ve always looked upon the ADL as part of the broader coalition striving toward equality and decency. But this new direction feels like a step into dangerous territory—one that’s alienating allies and empowering enemies.

A Dangerous Gamble with the Right

In recent years, Greenblatt has made moves that many read as an effort to curry favor with conservative figures and groups. Whether it’s participation in conservative-sponsored events or toning down criticism of far-right rhetoric, the message was clear: the ADL wanted a seat at the table with power, no matter who was sitting at that table.

Now, Kash Patel—Trump loyalist and MAGA darling—has used his political pulpit to cut ties between the FBI and the ADL, claiming the group operates with bias. He’s not alone. Many on the far right have intensified their attacks on the ADL, calling it political, partisan, and anti-conservative. And here’s the kicker—they’re doing this *after* the ADL softened its public profile in what seemed like an effort to avoid this very backlash.

This is the danger of appeasement: when you give ground to bullies, you don’t gain their friendship—you lose your foundation and still become their target.

Appeasement Doesn’t Protect You

We’ve seen this story before. Civil rights leaders who tried to “walk the middle” often found themselves abandoned by both sides: attacked by extremists and distrusted by the grassroots. I don’t say that lightly. During the Civil Rights Movement, some leaders tried backchannel conversations to calm white anxieties, thinking incrementalism could forge a safer path. But in the end, justice only walked forward when people stood *firm*, not when they stepped back.

Greenblatt’s overtures to the right seem to reflect a belief that if you just “show understanding,” maybe some of the venom aimed at the ADL will subside. But what he’s misunderstanding is that MAGA world isn’t interested in compromise. What they want is submission—and when you give it to them, you just signal weakness.

You Can’t Please Those Who Profit From Your Pain

Kash Patel and others like him don’t want to fix what they call “bias.” They want to dismantle watchdogs who call out hate. Their attacks on organizations like the ADL aren’t about balance or fairness—they’re about revenge and control. By feeding into that mindset, the ADL has undermined its credibility with the very communities who once counted on it as a shield and a voice.

As someone who’s dealt with institutional resistance and discrimination—from HOAs to city structures to systemic racism in America—I know the yearning for allies who don’t flinch when things heat up. Communities fighting against antisemitism, racism, and extremism don’t need an ADL that bends; they need one that *stands*.

We Need Courage, Not Capitulation

Civic organizations can’t afford to lose their integrity. Whether you’re a nonprofit, a local neighborhood group, or a national force like the ADL, your power lies in your principles. Stand in truth. Speak through the storm. Being neutral in a time of moral crisis is itself a choice—a dangerous one.

We veterans, we everyday folks, we activists and advocates—we know what it means to fight for something even when it’s unpopular. We know what it means to hold the line not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

If You Forget Who You Stand For, You’ll Fall for Anything

To the ADL and Greenblatt, I say this: remember your roots. Don’t try to gain favor from those who deny your purpose. The fight against hatred requires steadfastness, not strategy games. The moment you start adjusting your moral compass to match power, you lose your way—and the people who trusted you lose right along with you.

Conclusion: Respect Comes From Resistance, Not Retreat

The current backlash against the ADL from MAGA figures should be a wake-up call—capitulating didn’t silence the hate. It amplified it. Now is not the time to soften or straddle fences. This country is on edge, and organizations that once led the charge in defense of dignity