photo credit: Paras Griffin / Getty Images
Gospel legend Kirk Franklin is boycotting the infamous Dove Awards, and Trinity Broadcasting Network, after the award show reportedly edited out a part of his speech where he spoke about the brutal and unjust killing of Atatiana Jefferson.
Kirk took to his Instagram to let fans know how he feels, he states, “Today I feel like quitting. I am heartbroken that I even have to share this with you.”
During this years award show, which took place on October 15th, Kirk was awarded the Dove ‘Gospel Artist of The Year’ award.
He continues, “During my speech, I brought attention the murder of Atatiana Jefferson in her home by a white police officer,” Franklin said in his Instagram video.
“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.”
“Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience,” Franklin said.
Now, In response to Kirk’s video, an Association President of the network Jackie Patillo issued an apology, “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.”
“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.”
This isn’t the first time this happened, back in 2016 Kirk Franklin won the same award, and when he spoke the unjust killing of Philando Castille and Walter Scott, it was edited out as well.
Thoughts?