RESPECT is an inspiring story of TWO BOYS that are best friends that decide to USE THEIR POWERS to bring about a better world. Zeek and T Mella are EXCELLENT STUDENTS who are also stars of the high school track team. One evening while running home from their jobs at Bongo Shorty’s Car Wash they encounter a crime scene in their neighborhood that sets them on their mission. THE YOUNG MEN, along with their employer, Bongo Shorty, start a business producing buttons with the single word Respect upon a background of various national colors. Sales take off and the effect is MAGICAL as the people of their city begin to regard themselves and each other with greater courtesy and consideration. Even the policemen wear the buttons on their uniforms. Very soon, they expand their product line to include bumper stickers and tee shirts bearing that powerful word Respect, and their business draws competitors who put the word on ball caps and tee shirts with their own uniquely creative designs. Through internet sales, this business venture soon becomes a national fad, and then a movement as more and more people see the advantages of giving and getting respect. Meanwhile our youthful entrepreneurs develop a musical Hip Hop act to further the propagation of ideas for a saner society. The publicity that this noble work generates attracts the attention of POWERFUL individuals and SECRET SOCIETIES that profit from chaos and confusion. These misanthropes plan and scheme to derail this RESPECT MOVEMENT and a major conflict ensues. This is a story of brotherhood, self-determination, cooperative economics, collective work and responsibility, creativity, purpose and faith. It demonstrates how young people can make a trans-formative difference in this world. It is a MUST READ for Generation X and the so-called Millennials as it presents a practical application of the principles of KWANZAA; more than a holiday – A WAY OF LIFE!
