Bug,
It's sad that we go through those things but it's just a part of growing up. My daughter just went through it and after some conversations with the Principle and Counselor at her school they assured me it will stop. They wanted to keep me away from this girls parents....good call.
My own story which is one of MANY examples was from growing up in an area of Florida that was 99.9% white. The term "Florida Cracker" comes to mind.
Me having a Japanese Mom made me an easy target to bully. It got so bad I didn't want to ride the bus or go to school because I didn't know what to do or how to handle it.
Well my dad finally got involved and the school pretty much did nothing because back then people really were not that sensitive to everyones feelings. So my Dad told me to punch, beat, hurt or whatever it took to shut them up and so I did. Problem was I was good at it...lol. The next meeting was called by the school to my parents....lol.
It didn't stop there I dealt with it throughout my time in school and in the Army but I had learned how to deal with it by then. People who bully others are punks and insecure. A good attitude adjustment usually gets them on the path to enlightenment.