Kirk Franklin is committed to Jesus and justice for Black people. The award-winning gospel artist posted a detailed video to Instagram Monday announcing his boycott of the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) Dove Awards and the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
The “Love Theory” singer told viewers the Dove Awards were like the Christian Grammys and “the terms Christian and Gospel for many are code words for white and Black.” He then said the GMA and TBN edited out comments he made about the police killing of Atatiana Jefferson during the acceptance of his Gospel Artist of The Year Award.
“Today I feel like quitting. I am heartbroken that I even have to share this with you,” Franklin said. “During my speech, I brought attention the murder of Atatiana Jefferson in her home by a white police officer. I asked everyone in the audience and those viewing to join me in prayer for not only Atatiana’s family – including her 8-year-old nephew who witnessed the killing – but also for the family of the police officer. Last week, during the airing of the awards on the same network, again, that part of my speech was edited out.”
Franklin said he arrived at the decision to boycott the two organizations after meeting with representatives from GMA and TBN.
“I’ve made the decision after prayer, consultation with my team and my Pastor Dr. Tony Evans to not attend any events affiliated with or for the Dove Awards, Gospel Music Association or TBN until tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity, especially where people of color have contributed their gifts, talents and finances to help build the viability of these institutions,” Franklin said.
During the video, Franklin also revealed this was not the first time the GMA and TBN had censored him. He said when he won the same award in 2016 he made comments about the police killings of Philando Castile and Walter Scott and those comments were edited out of the broadcast.
After expressing his disappointment the first time, Franklin said the GMA told him they would work to ensure it didn’t happen again and TBN didn’t respond at all.
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This time GMA responded by posting a picture of the singer on Instagram with a caption that included “We hear you @kirkfranklin. We care.” They also directed users to read their official statement, which included an apology from GMA President Jackie Patillo.
“We would like to publicly acknowledge that we are deeply apologetic for the missteps that happened relating to the editing of Kirk Franklin’s Dove Awards acceptance speech,” Patillo wrote. “It left a general perception that we are not concerned with key social issues that affect people of color. It is not our intent to disregard or silence any of our artists, and we are deeply saddened by this perception and are committed to change this.”
Franklin acknowledged the word “boycott” has a “negative connotation,” but said his goal “will forever be reconciliation as well accountability.”
“It is important for those in charge to be informed, not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience,” Franklin said.
Franklin made it clear he was not asking anyone to join him in the boycott, but he received an outpouring of support and solidarity from many of his fellow artists and fans alike saying they would join him.
