NEW YORK - Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, self-help guru Deepak Chopra and civil rights leader Benjamin Chavis want some answers from Republican and Democratic White House hopefuls — and they don’t want candidates to play the “race card.” 

The three have sent an open letter to all those still in the race for nomination asking them six questions on issues ranging from diversity to the environment, reducing poverty in America and ending the war in Iraq.

The letter makes an oblique reference to recent tension over race issues between Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, who would be the first woman president if elected, and Barack Obama, who would be the first African-American president.

“Most recently, some have unadvisedly attempted to interject the race card into the Presidential campaign,” the letter reads.

“There are many in the political sphere from time to time that make a reference to the dream and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the important characteristics today about the growing awareness and participation of the ‘hip-hop generation’ of young voters is their transcendent state of mind on the issue of race. In fact, Dr. King believed in ‘the beloved community’ where all human beings are treated equally with mutual respect, justice and love.”

The final question in the letter is: “As President of the United States, how will you exemplify leadership domestically and internationally toward the fulfillment of ‘the beloved community?’”

Simmons and Chavis are co-founders of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, a non-profit group that addresses social issues.

The letter promises to post whatever answers they receive on the Internet.

PICTURE: Brendan McDermid/Reuters. Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis pose together just before ringing the opening bell of The NASDAQ Market in New York, 14 June 2006