I never expected to be picked on in my life. But I have been. In March of '08, I got jumped by this group of kids at my middle school. I wasn't seriously injured, but it gave me a taste of how some people try to take control of those who they think is weak. I wasn't. The last time they jumped me, I brought one of them down with a leg sweep and then he got in trouble with the cops. I've never been one to interfere with someone else's business. But I can't deny the fact that bullying is nothing more than useless, meaningless, thoughtless and incapable of allowing someone to truly understand someone else. Bullying is acting on first sight; just by how one looks on the outside. Trying to understand someone just by how they is stupid and nearsighted. You need to get to know the person first. Make contact. Find common ground. Do it with anyone you know; a classmate, a neighbor, anyone. Also, don't restrict yourself to those within a certain social queue. Get to know those outside your own likings. Personally, I can't stand the one-sided, negative beliefs people have when they see the slightest little glimpse of someone from the gothic subculture. Those who see them as sadistic and suicidal are seriously screwed-up. They don't understand that their negative remarks are, without the shadow of a doubt, equivalent to bullying. Basically, bullies are one-sided people who just act on first sight and deformed ambition. They can't understand the feelings of those they believe are below themselves. All in all, try to be the kind of person who is capable of getting to know someone inside and out. Just watch your back.