Almost every year since my earliest memories, I've watched the classic Rankin-Bass production of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. When I was a small child, it was both traumatizing and cathartic.  It's hard to imagine anyone living in the U.S. who hasn't seen this show at least once.  Here's the trailer to make sure we're all on the same page. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6IAY9bSP7s .

There's one scene in particular that grabbed me every year. Rudolph was singled out as being unfit for the reindeer games because his nose was the wrong "color." The coach, Comet, sets down the rules: "From now on, gang, we won't let Rudolph play in any reindeer games!" I just sobbed and sobbed.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyOY7Ld0JCU .

As a child, as is true for probably most children, I have felt the sting of a bully's taunt.  Maybe this is why my empathy for Rudolph was on overdrive.  As the show progressed, Rudolph's travels to find acceptance led him to The Island of Misfit Toys-a frozen ghetto for the marginalized; toys that were imperfect that no child would want to play with. Again, I'd cry and cry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SH1j1luFOw

But I knew that every year, if I could hang in there, TV life would even the score. Rudolph found out that his nose had a special role to play. In fact, his red nose was the basis for his being promoted above all the other reindeer.

The archetype of conquering heroes who are at first an object of ridicule and then soar past their peers is one of the oldest stories in the world. This past year, as Susan Boyle shocked the world on Britains Got Talent with her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, we all again watched a new Eliza Doolittle turn into one Fair Lady.  It's worth watching again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY .  By her own admission in interviews, she felt like a misfit as a child. She battled learning disabilities and endured bullying.  But she could sing. Her first CD was just released, and I bought it right away. It's stunningly beautiful.  And speaking of beautiful, Susan has gotten a makeover, and she's just lovely. Check it out:  http://cm1.theinsider.com/thumbnail/400/559/cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/543/75/susan-boyle-amazon-record-breaker.jpg . Part of me wanted her to keep her "look"; but I applaud any change she wanted to make to feel better about herself.

A moment of my childhood that I still remember with pain was the time the other girls in third grade found out that I wore "Sears Chubby" size.  Yes-if you can imagine, Sears carried a line of clothing for the fat little girl.  Here's a vintage ad: http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/01/30/vintage-ad-for-chubby-fashions . One of the bullies happened to see the tag in the back of one of my slacks... Sears Chubby it said...  and broadcast the news to the entire class. It's been 40 years, and I still cringe when I think of it.

When I was young, schoolyard bullies were not recognized for the damage they did. Now they are. There's recognition for bullies that children interact with online-cyberbulling. Here's some good information for kids on the topic. http://mcgruff.org/Advice/cyberbullies.php . And now, there's acknowledgement for another venue for bullying-in the workplace. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/health/25well.html .

To this day, gals like me are euphemistically referred to as "big-boned." Now our clothing is called "Plus Sizes."  But I don't care anymore because I have so much else in my life that defines me.  In third grade, however, it was humiliating.

Back at age 9, I wish someone would have told me that in 40 years, it wouldn't matter anymore. There's always tomorrow....  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUgMaL89Lqc

Were you bullied as a child?  Are you dealing with a bully in the workplace? Please post a comment. Comments are moderated (we screen them before we post them) but they are anonymous-we do not track where they came from in any way.