notanan2- good point. Thinking of one of the most openly racist person I know, in his 90s now- is an Italian immigrant from Naples post WW1. These people were extremely poor, and arrived in NY in abject circumstances, mocked for their accent, their clothes, and bullied mercilessly. I suppose few managed to rise, get a decent education and training, and do well- to the point of gaining real respect and a very good income. Changing their italian name so it would sound more American - and turning their back to their own community to fit in and keep climbing the ladder.
So yes, perhaps bullied becoming bullies- for survival and get back at them, somehow.