I had a high school bully that was relentless. He would even punch me in the head like I was fucking speedbag in a classroom full of our peers if the teacher wasn’t present. He made me a joke to everyone. Then one day he started his shit at a public basketball court when I was just there trying to mind my own business all alone practicing 3-pointers. All the worthlessness, shame, embarrassment, nights staying up panicking about going to school the next day, etc; all boiled over and made me snap. I beat the ever living fuck out of him on that basketball court and he never bothered me again.

11 years later he contacted me on Facebook after hearing from some mutual acquaintances that I was in town and asked if I wanted to get a drink or something. I agreed and he apologized to me straight up, face to face for what he did. We’ve since become good friends. Fighting back worked for me. But for others it can escalate things and maybe even end up with someone dead. Violence can be an answer but it’s also a gamble.

I mean I could have accidentally killed my bully if his head hit the court in a bad way and ruined my life. Other options should always be tried first.