My personal experiences with bullying

Like many students in school, I too was a victim of bullying. During high school, mainly from 9^th to 11^th grade, I dealt with bullying constantly. The reason why I was bullied was because I looked different and liked different music than everyone else. In high school I had long hair parted over my eyes, wore really tight jeans, had a lip ring and occasionally wore eyeliner and black nail polish. I was labeled by others as “emo” and got picked on for it. A common stereotype associated with those called “emo” is that they cut themselves and are suicidal. I would deal with some of my fellow students calling me “ an emo fagot”  and have them tell me “no one likes you, so why don’t you just do us a favor and kill yourself already.” and, “Why don’t you go cut yourself and cry about life you emo fag.” I will admit that their comments made me feel worthless and at times I would wonder if I really was better off dead. I remember coming home from school and going straight to my room because I wanted to be alone. During this time I remember shutting myself off from others because I was depressed and felt that I was better off dead. Also during this time at home I would get angry more often and at the smallest things. I was so sick of having others constantly pick on me that I would take out my bottled anger on my family and friends. Looking back on how I was, my sister said that” If someone even looked at me the wrong way or said something I didn’t like, I would lose my temper.”Like many victims of bullying, I was embarrassed to ask others for help and insisted that I could handle it myself or that it would end on its own.  In the end I got through it because I had my friends and family there to support me. Once I had the support of my friends and family, I would not let the bullies get to me. I was now not afraid to be myself at school or anywhere else. My friends helped me by being there for me and gave me the confidence to be myself.  Since I was personally affected by bullying in high school, that is why I chose to research about it because I want to help spread a message to everyone that bullying is wrong and that you should never be afraid to be yourself.