Speaker Christine Quinn and Def Poetry Jam Founder Join as Co-Chairs for A Culture of Respect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 3, 2008 -- Brooklyn, NY Jan 23, 2008 – New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has joined Brooklyn artist and founder of Def Poetry Jam Danny Simmons as co-chair for A Culture of Respect, William Grant, executive director of New York Web Center announced today. Quinn and Simmons will launch the Culture of Respect program in schools at a press conference Tuesday, January 29th, 12:00 pm at Dubois High School, 402 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.

A Culture of Respect was inspired by a rap song recorded last year by Dubois student Rahmel Bines at the Hip Hop Academy, a student enrichment program operated by PRIDE, a division of New York Web Center funded by the New York City Department of Education. “The ‘N’ word ain’t cool . . . I’m 19 years in it, I ain’t never been a slave,” Bines recorded in his song, entitled “Ban the N Word.”

Following incidents of bias, disrespect and violence – viewed daily in their neighborhoods, some students claim – Dubois students launched A Culture of Respect with the support of teachers and the staff of PRIDE’s Hip Hop Academy. “Ban the ‘N’ word,” students say, and other expressions of disrespect and bias. The campaign will be taken to other high schools, including Wadleigh and Maxwell. At the press conference, Quinn and Simmons will invite community leaders and students to sign a pledge banning the use of inflammatory language, acts of bias, hatred and violence. They will also record a lyric for the rap song written by Hip Hop Academy students entitled, “A Culture of Respect.”

Speaker Quinn has campaigned against the recent rise in hate crimes recorded in the metropolitan region, and Mr. Simmons has long used the arts to promote understanding and tolerance.

Website: http://www.cultureofrespect.org

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