I started getting bullied while I was in kindergarten. The older children made fun of me because of how "different" I was. I thought I was just like them since it was a predominately African American school. However since my father was from Nigeria they considered me to be an outsider who wasn't like them. At first they teased my heritage and my physical features. At first it didn't bother me but as I got older the teasing continued. The more I was teased the more I started hating my appearance. I would try to not come to school so that I would not have to face them. Finally I decided to stand up for myself by notifying my mom and other members of faculty in the school. I knew I wasn't strong enough to handle them on my own but with a support base I found courage to confront them and to ask them to stop. Since then my self-esteem has increased and I no longer deny being Nigerian. Those are being bullied know that you are not alone and there are people out who are willing to help. So don’t be afraid to speak up.

-anonymous