In the coming weeks, I will give you the 411 on initiatives to combat misogynistic and racist lyrics on the public airwaves and publicly licensed cable franchises.
But for now, I want to remember a remarkable lady whose passionate commitment to justice was only exceeded by her beauty and style, the late Dr. C. Delores Tucker (and here).
More than a decade ago, C. Delores, as she was called, spearheaded a national campaign to hold the music industry accountable for sexist and violent lyrics. She held press conferences, picketed record stores, showed up at Sony and Time Warner shareholders’ meetings, and mobilized civil rights and religious leaders.
While gangsta rappers, including Tupac Shakur, vilified Dr. Tucker for her unbending efforts, I was proud to stand with her at many of her events.
On Wednesday, the Bethune-DuBois Institute will pay tribute to Dr. Tucker at its annual awards dinner:
As the president and founder of the Bethune-DuBois Institute, Dr. Tucker initiated a public campaign against gangsta rap for its vile and obscene portrayal of women in general and African American women in particular.
In the shifting public focus from Imus’s outrageous comments and punishment, numerous national spokespersons suggested that the campaign launched by Dr. Tucker against, to quote her, “the unholy coalition of gangstas from the streets and gangstas from the suites,” needs to be continued.
The struggle will indeed continue.
For ticket info, please call 301/562 8300.
