Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Image
In a daring yet necessary move, Monday morning Kirk Franklin took to Instagram to announce his boycott of the Dove Awards, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and the Gospel Music Association.
Photo by Annette Holloway/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 21-time Dove winner revealed his frustrations around the organization’s continual edits of his speeches over the years at the mention of civil unrest at the hands of white police officers — first in 2016 after the deaths of Philando Castille and Walter Scott and again in 2019 when Atatiana Jefferson was killed in her home by a white cop.
“Unfortunately when that speech aired on the Christian network TBN, that part of my speech was edited out. I made my disappointment and frustration known to the Dove Awards committee and to Trinity Broadcasting Network. I never heard from TBN and the Dove Awards committee promised to rectify the mistake so it wouldn’t happen again. In 2019 history repeated itself…I brought attention to the murder of Atataiana Jefferson…I asked everyone in the audience and those viewing to join me in prayer…and 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.”
He went on to say, “I’ve made the decision…to not attend any events affiliated or for the Dove Awards, TBN or Gospel Music Association until tangible efforts are made to protect and champion diversity…my goal will forever be reconciliation as well as accountability…not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience.” Watch below.
We found Kirk’s speech on YouTube that does include the mention of Jefferson — but it seems like the version that aired was indeed edited out. Watch.
Bravo Kirk. BRAVO. Silence often means complicity. Missed his episode of UNCENSORED last year? Take a look at Kirk explaining what really went down between God’s Property and The Family.
TELL US: Do you agree with Kirk’s boycott?
Like TV One on Facebook and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
