C. DeLores Tucker,
political activist and long time opponent of “Gangsta Rap,” died Wednesday
(Oct. 12) of undisclosed causes at Suburban Woods Health and Rehabilitation Center
in Norristown, Pa.
Tucker, 78, spent her life fighting for civil rights. Her civic
and political activities include her participation in the memorable Selma-to-Montgomery
March in 1965 with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
She also was a delegate to the historic White House Conference
on Civil Rights.
Within hours of her death — many of the area’s leading politicians
issued statements.
"The cause of civil rights was a lifelong crusade for C.
DeLores Tucker," Philadelphia Mayor John Street said. "Her continued
work promoting and protecting the legacy of Dr. King and the nonviolent movement
for change will never be forgotten."
Tucker was also known for the protests she led against obscenities
in rap music.
Her vocal attack focused on gangster rap, a sub genre of rap
she believes to be a current form of genocide of black people.
Tucker’s base message was simple.
"It is a crime that we are promoting these kind of messages.
The whole gangster rap industry is drug-driven, race-driven, and greed-driven,"
said Tucker.
Or, perhaps even simpler, "It is not healthy for our children."
Tucker led a national campaign against rap music with violent
lyrics in the 1990’s and became the face of opposition to its messages.
Her vocal attacks offended many rappers, including Tupac Shakur,
which caused them to ridicule her in their lyrics.
In retaliation, the famed politician filed a defamation lawsuit
against the estate of Shakur, who was slain in 1996, involving the rhyming of
her surname with an obscenity in his 1996 album All Eyez on Me.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court eventually dismissed the libel
lawsuit contending the rhymes written about Tucker had no proof of actual malice.
As of press time,
funeral arrangements for Mrs. Tucker were unavailable.
