Doing it for others

Posted: 11/22/2013

Have I been bullied? Of course.

Coming from a separated family that has moved several times, I've gone through a lot. Being the new girl over and over is tough, but at the same time it's a blessing. Everywhere I have lived I have been picked on, had things said about me behind my back, had friends turn on me, had problems at home. I have fought through cutting myself and am still fighting through depression. The strange thing is, I fit in with the bullies socially. I'm an athlete, I'm in honors classes, I'm a typical teenager. But one thing not typical about me is how I view others. Everyone is equal to me. I am friends with at least one person in each social group in my school. I participate in theatre, I'm in band, I'm in several clubs, and I go to church regularly. I'm not afraid to talk to a stranger and make them feel important. This is why I am bullied.

I may look like some of the "popular" girls and I may participate in some of the same things as them, but I am different. I am myself and that scares them. I moved to a new school halfway through my freshman year and it's now halfway through my junior year. At first, the popular group tried to pull me into their group, which they were somewhat successful at, but once they realized who I was, I soon became a target for them. There have been plenty of rumors spread about me but people don't believe them because they know who I am. There have been many times when I feel worthless, a lot of times being at clubs where I tend to sit by myself due to the fact that the other people don't find me acceptable. But I know those people won't matter to me in the future and what they say about me doesn't matter as long as I know myself.

They have tried countless times to drag me down, and yes, at times they have done so, but as time has gone on, I've gotten stronger. I've realized though that not everyone is like me. Many people who are victims of the bullies in my school don't have the same mentality as me and don't know how to stand up to them. This is what I'm trying to do. I want to stop this bullying. Out of all the places I've lived, the place where I am currently living has been the worse when it comes to bullying, especially since everyone here basically grew up together being in such a small city. I'm the outcast, the "new girl", the freak, but also the savior.

I've stood up for many people in school, stopping the pain that those people feel every day.

I give them courage and hope for the future. This is what I do. I'm doing it for others. I hope more people decide to do the same thing because it can truly make a difference.

Don't give up and don't let the bullies succeed.

By: Megan