Posted on January 19, 2001 at 10:05 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary will present a concert and lecture at the University of Alabama at Birmingham February 6 as part of a nationwide tour to launch a new project called “Don’t Laugh at Me.” The project is designed to sensitize children to the painful effects of ridicule, teasing and bullying.

The concert and lecture, sponsored by the UAB School of Education, is open to teachers, school administrators and school counselors and is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 6, at the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center, Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall, 1200 10th Avenue South. The event is free. For more details and reservations call Loucrecia Collins, Ed.D., at (205) 934-5322.

“Don’t Laugh at Me,” founded by Yarrow, uses inspiring music, videos, and curricula incorporating games and classroom activities to teach children about respect, compassion, conflict resolution, cooperation and appreciation of differences in others. The project also encourages children to declare their classes and schools as “Ridicule Free Zones.” The project’s name, “Don’t Laugh at Me,” is the title of a song performed by Peter, Paul and Mary that is intrinsic to the creative elements used in the program.

“Don’t Laugh at Me” is a project of Operation Respect Inc., which was conceived and produced by Peter Yarrow Productions and Educators for Social Responsibility, a group working to incorporate socio-emotional learning and character education as an ongoing part of school curricula.