Whenever I asked why I was bullied in high-school, I was told it was because I was an “easy target.” I didn’t betray anyone, I didn’t spread rumors about people, I just didn’t know how to stand up for myself and I would just let it happen. I was afraid that if I tried to stand up for myself, things would only get worse. They got worse anyway. I became everyone’s inside joke because they knew I wouldn’t do anything about it. I was one girl’s target to humiliate every day, a guy classmate called me a fat, lazy-eyed pig on one of my Facebook photos, and it even got to a point where a person spit a cap of a drink in my face, yelled, “GOT HER,” and ran away laughing with his friends. Much more than that happened, but that’s not what this article is about.

So, drenched in spit and not knowing what to do or where to turn, I started to really look at things and understand why they were happening. I started to realize that I wasn’t the weak one, you (the bullies) were. You needed acceptance from your “friends” so badly, that you would resort to anything to stay “cool,” even if it meant tearing someone else apart. Even though you were cruel creatures, probably still are, and never actually thought about what you were doing or saying, you taught me some valuable things.

• You made me realize that I am the one who is in charge of my worth, not you, and not anyone else.
• You are the reason I treat everyone I meet like gold until they show me I shouldn’t. And even when they do prove otherwise, I just act civil instead of trying to ruin them.
• You are the reason I learned how to stick up for myself.
• You made me realize that I was not as insecure as you were/are.
• You are the reason I found my confidence.
• You are the reason I now speak my mind at all times.
• You made me see that all of this was a growing experience for me, and that you will all probably stay stuck in your immature ways.
• You made me stronger.
• You made me realize what kind of a person I didn’t want to be.
• You are the reason I don’t judge a book by its cover.
• Last, but certainly not least, YOU are the ones I feel sorry for.

So yes, in many ways, I benefitted from you. In the long run, things have turned out great for me. However I hope, MORE THAN ANYTHING, that you have grown up and don’t treat others poorly or bully anyone anymore. I may have been strong enough to get through what you put me through, but a lot of other people aren’t. Bullying has caused a lot of beautiful and innocent lives to be lost by suicide because of how poorly those people were treated.

They’re not “sensitive,” you just make them believe the things you say to them are true, and they take it out on themselves because they don’t know any better. Bullying is not something to joke around about. It is a big deal and it needs to be stopped. You think you’re joking around and looking cool for your “buddies,” but your target is taking it to heart and would do anything to escape how they’re being treated.

And for the victims of bullying, things do get better. Especially once you remove yourself from their toxic environment. Graduating from high school was one of the biggest blessings of my life. And please just know that those crappy people are not the only people out there. There are a ton of other people who will treat you well, and just know that that’s how you deserve to be treated. Don’t you dare accept anything less than that. There are a million others who have gone through, and are still going through, what you have. You are not the only one. Keep your heads up, you strong and amazing people.