 |
| Gospel artist Kirk Franklin. Photo by Mona Austin |
By Mona Austin
(The Slice): Gospel music icon Kirk Franklin is protesting the Gospel Music Association, producers of the Dove Awards and their broadcasting partner the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
In a video posted on Facebook, the artist explained "history has repeated itself" with a recurrence of his comments being edited out of the Dove Awards telecast.
"Today I feel like quitting, I am heart-broken that I even have to share this with you," he starts the video saying.
Franklin's sentiment reflects the micro-aggressive behaviors in business and society that bring to light what many Africans-Americans perceive as blatant discrimination decades beyond the Civil Rights Era.
VIDEO: Kirk Franklin announces personal boycott of Dove Awards and TBN
Continuing, the Sunday Best host details the background on why he is taking a personal stand. He referred back to the year when he voiced the need for healing among Christians and specifically the music industry amid racially motivated violence against Blacks. That statement and the prayer that followed was censored in a 2016 acceptance speech when he was named Artist of the Year at the Doves. "During the awards ceremony I felt the responsibility as a Christian and a man of color to address the civil unrest at that time," stated the legendary entertainer about the words that people in the television viewing audience never heard.
Again, weeks ago at the 2019 airing of the show Franklin received the same honor and said TBN edited out the portion of the speech where he mentioned Atatiana Jefferson, the African American Dallas woman who police shot and killed in her home. Franklin had brought Jefferson's death to the attention of the audience and prayed for her family, the officer's family and her 8-year-old nephew who was an eye-witness to the murder.
Franklin said he decided to personally boycott the two entities after addressing his concerns with representatives of TBN and the Doves, who he said had previously told him his words would not be edited in the future.
TBN edits Kirk Franklin's speech on racial reconciliation; Where is the apology?
The Dove organization itself has a storied past along the racial front, having incorporated most Black gospel artists into the production within the last decade of its 50-year existence. Former Verity Records Executive Jackie Patillo became the GMA Director a decade ago and has acted as a unifer between the primarily White CCM and Black gospel communities.
Franklin conveyed the message to decision-makers in this incident that editing his comments is like editing the "Black experience." Having reached the height of frustration with their response to tragedies affecting Blacks, after meeting with representatives on both sides, praying and consulting his team and spiritual advisor Pastor Tony Evans, he has decided to disassociate with those entities and their affiliates until "tangible steps are made to be more inclusive.
From a purely business point of view, media companies do not tend to air a stance that appears to be political or social justice oriented to avoid potential conflicts with advertisers. In this instance, Franklin's message appears to be purely Christian, however. Additionally, the rationale for omitting Franklin's Christian conscious-raising efforts may be that the subject matter was not suitable or relevant to the international audience TBN serves. Ultimately, the producers have creative license and can edit content at their discretion.
Franklin concluded the video expressing openness to resolution and future dealings with the orgnizations.
“I am aware that the word boycott often has a negative connotation and finality to it. But my goal will forever be reconciliation as well as accountability."