Teens Fight Back Against Bullying

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Young people will rise up against bullying at an event aimed to raise awareness and help empower teens.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, Southampton Town Councilwoman Christine Scalera and the Southampton Town Youth Bureau will host a Bullying Prevention and Awareness month event at Good Ground Park, located at 9 Squiretown Road in Hampton Bays, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The event includes guest speakers, musical performances, free pumpkin decorating and information for parents and youth regarding bullying and cyber-bullying.

It's the sixth year for the event, which is aimed at shining attention and awareness to the issue and the impacts on those harmed by bullying — and to enhance action already taken by school districts.

Guest Speaker this year will be Nancy Silberkleit, Co-CEO, Archie Comic Publications, Inc. and publisher, founder/CEO of Rise Above Social Issues Foundations Inc.

In August, Silberkleit’s hosted the second annual one-day-only free Pop-Up Comic Extravaganza in East Hampton.

Silberkleit not only has a lifelong love for comic books’ words and artwork, she has an innate sense of social awareness. “I see my Comic Extravaganza as a bit different from others. It has a heart. I want to not only instill the love of reading, but I want myself and my vendors to spark the folks that we will meet on Sunday with the message to stay engaged in community, build a lifelong commitment in uplifting voice today and beyond,” she said.

Acts of kindness by individuals are needed to influence others, with a vision that shows more respect to humanity, Silberkleit added, especially in a world where hate can have devastating repercussions.

“Cyberbullying, suicide and people going into the street to take another person down due to hatred is on the rise,” she said.

The Hampton Bays event will also feature performance by Lindsay Dunn and the Southampton Town Youth Burea Act TWO Drama Troupe.

Patch courtesy file photo.