Considering some of the things on the card listing things the bullies called him...

I'd assume that he *MIGHT* be somewhat less than the "masculine norm". He didn't actually say if he was transgender or gay. He doesn't appear obviously effeminate in appearance, so it must just be behavior.

That he was bullied over it is not a surprise at all. Kids are nasty towards each other as it is, if you don't fit the stereotypes at that age, it's even worse.

I quickly defended myself by hiding myself away and presenting to the world a mask of someone who "didn't care".

Many kids are not so fortunate... And yes, even though my solution was slowly killing me internally, I consider myself fortunate for having found it. The alternatives could have been far worse.

As adults, most people will respect you, even if they disagree with you, if you hold your head high and respect yourself. Children don't care. Different means it's fair game to bully you, no matter what you do.

"Professionals" have counseled to "ignore them and they'll find a target that will fight back" for years, but that doesn't really work. Even after adopting my blase mask, I was still bullied. It took a few times of me going nuclear to put enough FEAR into the bullies to be left alone. At that point, they figured the risk was too high. They could have messed with me and gotten a free laugh with no repercussions, or they could have found themselves being rescued from an impending holocaust. That's probably the only real way to be left alone, be unpredictable. Appear unstable. Only then will they fear you enough to choose a different target. Being faster than everyone else helps too. I wasn't particularly strong, but if I "went off", you didn't see it coming. And the speed also meant momentum, and momentum with enough weight behind it can overcome many much stronger foes.

I'm not sure what this kid is hoping to accomplish by putting that video out there... If anything, bullies are likely to escalate from it. Perhaps teachers and other authorities will step up the watch, but they are understaffed and can only do so much. I guess he just needed the relief from sharing his hurt... I always shared mine with my Creator, but I can see how this would work for those who don't believe in a Creator.

Anyways, honestly, he doesn't have the problem. The bullies have the problem. He's just an unfortunate victim.

EDIT: Though yes, he did have a problem - cutting/suicidal thoughts and lack of self-worth. Obviously the latter is no longer an issue, you don't reach out like this with no self-worth. The cutting and thoughts of suicide, if it's still going on, can be rectified by GOOD counseling. Too many though, even those who are supposed to be "the best", are really really lousy at helping victims of bullying. They don't generally understand. Not really.

Abigail Drew.