Brigitte and her book
Lots of teens sit back and don’t get involved when their peers are getting picked on. But 15-year-old Brigitte Berman decided to make a difference.
Brigitte got to work and penned a book called Dorie Witt’s Guide to Surviving Bullies. GL chatted with Brigitte about why bullying is not OK and how YOU can make a difference.
While Brigitte wasn't so much bullied for her milk money, she def witnessed a lot of kids at her school being mean to each other. This inspired her to make other teens aware.
”I learned that so many people were dealing with bullying but they didn’t know what to do. I’ve always liked writing so [I thought] why not make a book,” Brigitte spills. Brigitte used her site doriewitt.com to gather info about bullying from kids.
“I took all of these stories and everybody’s experiences with bullying and put them together into Dorie Witt,” Brigitte said. “I really wanted to write something that was meaningful.”
Verbal and non-verbal bullying (like shunning girls or leaving people out on purpose) are pretty common.
”I want girls in America to know there is help out there,” she says. “There’s someone who is saying, ‘You know what? Bullies have to stop. This isn’t okay.’”
Dealing with a real-life bully? Brigitte says the first step is to tell them to knock it off. If that doesn’t work, get a group together to confront the meanie. And definitely let an adult know what’s going on.
“If you have a person who clearly does not want to listen, it’s important to talk to your parents and teachers,” she tells us. “Get them involved because they want to help.”
To find out how you can make a difference and help put an end to bullying head over to doriewitt.com. You can learn more about Brigitte, bullying and her very own book!
-Taeler Lottino
BY CAITLIN R. ON 11/6/2009 7:00:00 AM 16 COMMENTS