Book Review
Whether on stage, in interviews or in his music, Kirk Franklin’s life has been an open book. Fans who read his autobiography, "Church Boy" know Franklin was abandoned as a child and was judged and sometimes rejected by the environment from whence he came. On Oprah he confessed to having a porn addiction in 2005. But there are untold details in Franklin's life story that further shaped him into the man he is today that are now being revealed on the pages of his new book. On May 18 Franklin hopes to help others conquer their personal storms with the release of "The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms" (Gotham Books). In Franklin's self-help digest God is the master architect who has already designed a "time-tested" plan for living blessed lives. He says he learned that anytime he deviated from the Master's plans, he was re-directed and wants to share how finding a successful blueprint for life helped him handle hard knocks. The book reads like a conversation with Franklin, combining his hip language with vivid, realistic scenarios that readers can easily see themselves in as he approaches key life lessons. The Blueprint is a page-turner written from his experiences as an African American, a father and husband. It addresses matters that are dear to the author's heart such as broken families (he says he never saw a black man who was faithful in marriage), selfish singles, and a luke-warm faith walk to name a few. Franklin's message urges readers to accept responsibility for some of the obstacles they’ve encountered, face their fears, return to Godly virtues and move on. This progress can be achieved in Franklin’s words, by getting rid of the “sexies” and understanding that life's hardships can not be rectified with a step plan. The multi-talented artist/producer shares his thoughts on African American men in the following book excerpt:
BOOK EXCERPT: The Blueprint by Kirk Franklin
Chapter 7, The Blueprint for My Soldiers
To be honest it has been difficult lately to find a community of brothers with whom I share the same passions. Not because of some economic or social reason, but simply because it's getting harder and harder to find men who want to grow, who want to be better than they are. I celebrate the powerful black man in society-- the father, the leader, the professional. I wish the media showed more of him. But for the moment I'm concerned about what I do see, about what needs to change. whether it's the married man who can't see pass the girl at the other table or the one who desires to be just a church goer rather than an ambassador for change in the world around him. Because my past can't be an excuse for the being the father and husband I need to be, I won't make excuses anymore. And I'm tired of those who do. Values seem to be a thing of yesterday; the notion of manhood is fading as fast as Milli Vanilli in the nineties. It makes me think of Michael Jackson's song "Man in the Mirror." Even though that song is almost twenty years old I believe it described the challenge faced by my brothers and society.
KIRK FRANKLIN BLUEPRINT BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Borders
8000 Mall Parkway, Suite 2460
Lithonia, GA 30038
Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Ebenezer AME Church
7806 Allentown Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744-1741
Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Borders
2 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10121
Friday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Legacy Village
24519 Cedar Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Saturday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Borders
5601 Mercury Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126
Sunday, May 23 at 9:00 a.m.
The Potter's House
6777 West Kiest Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75236
Monday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
Firewheel Towne Center
190 Cedar Sage Drive Unit #BB01
Garland, TX 75040
Tuesday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
7626 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77063
Friday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Eso Won Bookstore
4331 Degnan Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008