CHICAGO (FinalCall.com)�Hip Hop guru Russell Simmons is bringing attention to the reparations movement with the release of his new PHAT Classic tennis shoe.

"People try to make [reparations] a racial issue, but it�s a justice issue," he said May 16 on WGCI-FM radio. "It�s an issue where people died and no one individual is responsible for slavery."

He and his brother Rev. Run of Run DMC collaborated on the shoe enterprise.

This was the latest stop for Mr. Simmons, CEO of Def Jam Records, where he has displayed the shoe. A percentage of the proceeds will go toward "underwriting an awareness campaign for reparations," he said. "I think it�s an important cause." Another part of the proceeds will go to research and a legal fund that is currently in development, he said.

"A lot of young people�s discussion is off on something else," Mr. Simmons said regarding the lack of awareness among Black youth about reparations. "I want to inspire some people and businesses to donate to this awareness campaign or promote this kind of agenda."

The PHAT Farm company is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Mr. Simmons has been in the forefront of economic development and entrepreneurship in the Black community. In recent years he also has joined a voter registration campaign targeted at youth called "Rap the Vote."

While no one individual today is responsible for slavery, Mr. Simmons said the corporations and government that slave labor helped to build still do exist.

"There is nothing wrong with talking about that debt," Mr. Simmons said. "The American Indians, Jewish community, the Japanese have gotten some reparations. So we have been talking about getting our 40 acres and a Bentley. There is not enough dialogue in our community about this issue."