Prejudicial Bullying Explained: When Identity Becomes a Target
Bullying fueled by hate, difference, and discrimination.
Prejudicial bullying happens when someone is targeted because of who they are — their race, religion, gender identity, disability, or cultural background. It’s not just bullying; it’s discrimination. This form of harm is often fueled by stereotypes, ignorance, or systemic bias, and it cuts deep because it attacks a person’s identity.
Whether it’s a cruel joke about someone’s accent, a slur in the hallway, or mocking someone’s beliefs, prejudicial bullying reinforces inequality — and leaves lasting emotional scars. At The Echo Movement, we believe that no one should be bullied for simply existing. This guide unpacks the roots of prejudicial bullying, how to spot it, and what we can all do to challenge it.
What Is Prejudicial Bullying?
Prejudicial bullying targets people based on aspects of their identity — like race, religion, gender identity, disability, or culture. It often reflects broader societal biases and can come in the form of slurs, stereotypes, exclusion, or harassment.
This type of bullying is rooted in discrimination, and its impact goes far beyond hurt feelings. It can isolate individuals, reinforce systemic inequality, and create unsafe environments for entire communities.
Common behaviors include:
- Racist or xenophobic jokes
- Homophobic or transphobic slurs
- Mocking someone’s religious dress or beliefs
- Taunting someone for their disability or physical differences
- Using stereotypes to insult, exclude, or dehumanize
- “Joking” about someone’s identity in front of others
Prejudicial bullying isn’t just personal — it reflects larger cultural attitudes and systems of power.
This form of bullying is often dismissed as humor, free speech, or “just teasing.” But for those on the receiving end, it’s harmful, isolating, and sometimes traumatic. Recognizing it for what it is — a form of bias-based violence — is the first step toward stopping it.
Who’s at Risk?
Prejudicial bullying affects people from all walks of life, but especially:
- Students of color or religious minorities
- LGBTQ+ youth and gender-diverse individuals
- Individuals with visible or invisible disabilities
- Immigrants and non-native English speakers
- Anyone who doesn’t “fit in” with dominant cultural norms
Did You Know?
Prejudicial bullying is one of the strongest predictors of school-based hate incidents.
Unchecked, it can lead to long-term mental health issues and reinforce exclusion across entire communities.
Forms of Prejudicial Bullying
Prejudicial bullying can be verbal, physical, social, or even digital — but at its core, it uses bias and identity as weapons. Whether it’s meant to insult, isolate, or humiliate, the damage is real. And often, it’s part of a bigger pattern of exclusion or hate.
Here are the most common forms of prejudicial bullying — and what they look like in everyday settings.
Verbal Harassment
This includes spoken or written comments that target someone’s identity. Common examples:
- Racial slurs or offensive jokes
- Misgendering or mocking gender identity
- Name-calling based on religion or language
- Making fun of someone’s accent or cultural background
- Using stereotypes to insult or label others
Even when framed as “jokes,” these words reinforce harmful beliefs and cause lasting harm.
Social Exclusion
- Leaving someone out because of their race, gender, or background
- Refusing to partner with certain students in class or activities
- Gossiping or spreading rumors rooted in bias
- Isolating someone due to cultural dress, food, or traditions
- Creating a “them vs. us” culture in peer groups
Physical or Symbolic Aggression
Some prejudicial bullying includes direct or symbolic violence, such as:
- Damaging cultural or religious items
- Shoving, pushing, or hitting someone based on identity
- Displaying hate symbols (e.g., swastikas, slurs on lockers)
- Writing slurs on walls or online posts
- Destroying assistive devices or mocking physical disabilities
These acts are meant to intimidate and assert dominance — and often mimic larger societal hate.
Settings Where Prejudicial Bullying Happens
Prejudicial bullying can show up in any setting where people interact — especially when differences are misunderstood or marginalized. These behaviors are often brushed off as “opinions” or “free speech,” but they create unsafe environments for entire communities.
Understanding where this form of bullying takes place helps us intervene early and build spaces where everyone feels welcome.
School Environments
Classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and group work settings are all common places where prejudicial bullying appears. Students may face biased jokes, exclusion, or verbal abuse — especially if school culture fails to address discrimination clearly and consistently.
Online & Social Media
Bias-based bullying is rampant online. Group chats, memes, comments, and videos are used to mock or dehumanize others based on identity. Because it’s public and fast-moving, digital harassment can escalate quickly and spread beyond the original target.
Community & Peer Spaces
Prejudicial bullying can also happen in clubs, sports teams, workplace environments, or neighborhoods. It may come in the form of “inside jokes,” code words, or passive exclusion. When left unchallenged, these behaviors normalize bias and silence those being harmed.
Identifying Victims & Perpetrators
Prejudicial bullying isn’t always obvious — but the harm it causes is real. It’s important to recognize who is most vulnerable, and why some individuals or groups may be more likely to perpetuate it.
Common Victim Profiles
- Belong to a racial, religious, or ethnic minority
- Identify as LGBTQ+ or gender nonconforming
- Live with a visible or invisible disability
- Speak with an accent or use a different language
- Practice a faith that’s misunderstood or stigmatized
Reasons Behind Bullying Behavior
Perpetrators of prejudicial bullying often act from learned bias, misinformation, or a desire to assert dominance. In some cases, it’s about group pressure — using shared hatred or “othering” to bond with peers. In others, it reflects attitudes they’ve absorbed from family, media, or society.
Confronting these behaviors requires more than punishment — it calls for education, empathy-building, and a commitment to equity.
Prevention Strategies
Prejudicial bullying is tied to larger systems of discrimination — and stopping it means addressing both the behavior and the beliefs behind it.
Teaching Inclusion & Equity: Go beyond basic anti-bullying messages. Help students understand racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination — and why they’re harmful. Representation in curriculum and staff matters, too.
School-Wide Anti-Bias Training: Educators and students alike should receive training on microaggressions, identity safety, and how to respond to bias-based incidents. Clear policies create a culture of accountability.
Parent & Community Conversations: Families and communities play a key role in reinforcing respect and empathy. Encourage open dialogue about diversity, equity, and the importance of standing up for others — even when it’s uncomfortable.
Signs & Symptoms of Prejudicial Bullying
Because prejudicial bullying targets a person’s identity, the effects can run deep — affecting mental health, social confidence, and overall safety. Victims may not always speak up, especially if they’ve been taught to “ignore it” or fear further discrimination.
Knowing what to look for can help you take action before the harm gets worse.
Emotional & Psychological Signs
Victims may show signs of:
- Anxiety or fear in specific social situations
- Depression, low self-esteem, or self-isolation
- Shame about their identity or background
- Avoidance of discussions about race, religion, or culture
- Emotional outbursts or sudden withdrawal
These emotional symptoms are often rooted in the feeling of being “othered” or unsafe in shared spaces.
Behavioral Changes
- Skipping school or specific classes
- Withdrawing from peer groups or extracurriculars
- Becoming quiet, angry, or defensive when identity is mentioned
- Avoiding conversations or questions about bullying or bias
- Sudden changes in appearance to “blend in”
Social & Academic Impact
Prejudicial bullying can deeply affect how students show up in the world:
- Decline in academic performance
- Fear of speaking up in class or participating in discussions
- Difficulty trusting teachers or peers
- Increased feelings of hopelessness or isolation
Because this form of bullying is often minimized, consistent support and validation are critical.
Response & Intervention
Prejudicial bullying isn’t just a personal issue — it reflects and reinforces systemic discrimination. That’s why intervention needs to be swift, consistent, and rooted in equity. Dismissing it as “just a joke” or “personal opinion” allows the harm to continue.
Clear Reporting Channels
Students, staff, and families need clear and trusted ways to report bias-based bullying. Schools should provide anonymous options and ensure every report is taken seriously, especially when identity-based language or behavior is involved.
Documentation matters — not only for individual cases but to track patterns and protect vulnerable students.
Anti-Bias Education
Responding to prejudicial bullying isn’t just about discipline — it’s about shifting school culture. Anti-bias workshops, open discussions, and curriculum changes are necessary to unlearn harmful ideas and foster real inclusion.
Students should be taught not just what prejudice looks like — but how to speak out against it.
Ongoing Support for Victims
Those targeted by prejudicial bullying often carry long-term emotional wounds. Schools should offer counseling and identity-affirming spaces where students can feel seen and supported. It’s not enough to stop the bullying — we must also help victims heal.
Let’s Break the Cycle
Inclusion isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Prejudicial bullying doesn’t just harm individuals — it divides communities. It tells people they don’t belong because of who they are. But we all have the power to challenge that message.
By confronting bias, speaking up, and choosing empathy, we can create spaces where every identity is safe, respected, and valued.