Gospel legend Kirk Franklin is highly upset that his televised acceptance speech at the Dove Awards was edited — again — and is boycotting the show, according to media reports.
Kirk DeWayne Franklin, 49, made the shocking announcement on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, on Instagram that he will be boycotting the Dove Awards, the Gospel Music Association and the Trinity Broadcasting Network after accusing them of editing the part of his speech where he mentions police brutality and racial injustices.
“Today I feel like quitting,” Franklin began in a measured tone in a video posted to his nearly 2 million Instagram fans. “I am heartbroken that I even have to share this with you.”
Franklin discussed his acceptance speech for Best Gospel Artist when he recounted instances of police brutality and unnecessary killings of Black Americans. Most particularly, Franklin invoked the recent fatal shooting of Atatiana Jefferson, who was killed in her own home by a Dallas police officer. Former officer Aaron Dean has since been charged with her murder.
Interestingly enough, Franklin won the same award three years ago and used the platform to discuss the police killings of Philando Castille and Walter Scott. He also talked about the tragedy of the Dallas officers who were killed by a Black sniper. Franklin didn’t like that his remarks were edited out then either, according to Billboard magazine.
This latest editing of his acceptant speech was the last straw.
“Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience,” he added on Instagram.
Major Black celebrities rushed to support Franklin in his stance that had the GMA scrambling to mop up the mess it created.
“Thank you Kirk. Standing with you,” Shaun King said in the comments section.
Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta, added “salute.”
Nelson Johnathan told Franklin: “✊🏾💯 Thank you for leading the way! We stand with you!”
The heat became so great that Gospel Music Association President Jackie Patillo quickly returned with an apology. Patillo said the program was edited to fit the two-hour television program and that any “missteps” caused in the cutting of Franklin’s speech were “completely unintentional.”
TBN announced that it has made the unedited version available on its VOD platform.
Click continue to see Franklin’s unedited 2019 speech.
