Operation Respect

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1 Beginnings
2 The DLAM Programs
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Beginnings

Founded in the year 2000 by Peter Yarrow Operation Respect is a non-profit organization designed to promote civility and conflict resolution into the curriculum of U.S. schools on a nationwide basis. The project began as a result of Yarrow and his daughter Bethany and his son Christopher having heard the song "Don't Laugh At Me" at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Yarrow would later be quoted by Operation Respect itself as saying

"Since I have lived a life of social and political advocacy through music, one in which I had seen songs like "Blowin In the Wind," "If I Had a Hammer," and "We Shall Overcome" become anthems that moved generations and helped solidify their commitment to efforts like the Civil Rights Movement and the Peace Movement, I knew I had just discovered a song that could become an anthem of a movement to help children find their common sensitivity to the painful effects of disrespect, intolerance, ridicule, and bullying."^[1]

"Don't Laugh At Me" was written by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin.

[edit] The DLAM Programs

Operation Respect developed the Don't Laugh at Me (DLAM) programs, one for grades 2-5, another for grades 6-8 and a third for summer camps and after-school programs. These programs make use of music and video along with curriculum guides based on highly regarded conflict resolution curricula developed by the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP) of Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR). Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Operation Respect disseminates the DLAM programs free of charge. More than 145,000 copies of the curriculum have been distributed to educators since Operation Respect's began. Operation Respect also offers assembly programs and professional development workshops designed to provide educators with the tools for effective implementation.