Teens Stand United Against Bullying

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Southampton teens took a strong stance against bullying Saturday.

Southampton Town Councilwoman Christine Scalera and the town's youth bureau held its 6th Annual Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month event at the Hampton Bays Senior Center — the location was shifted from Good Ground Park due to soggy skies.

The event featured guest speaker Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO, Archie Comic Publications, Inc and publisher, founder/CEO of Rise Above Social Issues Foundations Inc, with performances by vocalist Lindsay Dunn, a senior from Hampton Bays High School and the Southampton Town Youth Bureau Act TWO Drama Troupe.

The event also featured free pumpkin decorating and information for parents and youth about bullyingand cyber-bullying”

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.

Patch courtesy photo.