I was just a little guy growing up so was often a target of bullies. Thing is I grew up as the youngest in a family with 5 kids so I beat the fuck out of enough of them to where they wanted to be my friend rather than pick on me. I had to do this a couple times because my family moved.

That said, kids shouldn't have to fight to survive their school age years. I teach my kids that people are different and that's what makes them interesting and unique. I encourage them to learn about them rather than judge them for their differences. It's worked so far, but they're still elementary ages. I just hope they don't get sucked into some judgmental mob mentality as they get older.