My first fiction post ever, back when I was a tiny minnow, got whale slapped by blocktrades. So there are minnows who get attention from whales. I know of several others who also had variously sized whale slaps on quality posts.
Then I had some posts get OCDed and I got acidyo love.
So don't say whales only fight or don't interact with minnows.
You are right - I'm too much in the all or nothing in these comments. Of course there is good in all groups and I get that good attention too at times fropm big fish. That's why I'm here - for the interaction at all levels. How sad for that to happen when you were new here! Good for you to keep going when that happened. What was your crime or is that too personal?