Kirk Franklin Is Boycotting Dove Awards & Trinity Broadcasting Network For Censoring His Remarks On Racial Injustice & Police Brutality 

Kirk Franklin Is Boycotting Dove Awards & Trinity Broadcasting Network For Censoring His Remarks On Racial Injustice & Police Brutality 

Grammy award winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin delivered a heartfelt announcement on Monday (Oct. 28), sharing that he will be boycotting the Dove Awards and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), after the award show allegedly censored more than one of his acceptance speeches. In his video the gospel singer, Kirk Franklin:

“Today I feel like quitting. I am heartbroken that I even have to share this with you.”

Kirk Franklin, who was awarded the Dove Gospel Artist of The Year at the 50th annual award show held October 15 in Nashville, continues,

“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.”

Atatiana Jefferson was involved in a police fatal shooting while playing video games with her nephew before being shot.

The singer felt the need to address the crowd during his acceptance speech because of his responsibility,

“As a Christian and man of color.”

Kirk Franklin

He goes on to say he will 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.

Kirk ends his speech accusing the award show deliberately cutting out the black experience,

“Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience.”

In response to Kirk’s video, an Association President of the network Jackie Patillo apologized stating:

“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 adds,

“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.”

The censorship comes just three years after Kirk won the same award first in 2016. Then, he discussed the “civil unrest” following Philando Castille and Walter Scott’s deaths and five Dallas officers that were killed by a sniper.

What are your thoughts on Kirk Franklin’s boycott? Let us know in the comments!