Gospel Star Kirk Franklin Says He Is Boycotting The Gospel Dove Awards

I always find it fascinating how Americans LOVE everything about Black Culture (music, slang, food, clothes etc.) but don't want to HEAR or talk about the STRUGGLES of  those Black Americans who create the things they love. Even in "Christian" music.

Grammy Award winning Gospel star Kirk Franklin, who is from Fort Worth, Texas, recently won gospel artist of the year at the 50th Annual GMA (Gospel Music Association) Dove Awards held October 15 in Nashville. After accepting the award, Franklin claims that during his acceptance speech he brought up the recent shooting of Forth Worth resident Atatiana Jefferson in her home by a white police officer and he asked the audience in attendance and those watching at home to pray for the family.

But when the awards show aired on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on October 20 Franklin said the network censored his acceptance speech. Franklin took to Instagram to share his side of the story.

Franklin went on to say that this isn't the FIRST TIME that TBN has censored him for speaking out about police brutality in the black community. The network also censored him in 2016 when he received the same award and called on the audience to pray for the families of victims of police brutality.

Franklin said he has decided to "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" according to CNN.

After Franklin's post, The GMA, which hosts the Dove Awards (in fear of losing out on the biggest star in Gospel music) issued an apology and TBN quickly posted the unedited version of Franklin's speech to its website according to Newschannel 5 Nashville.

But the damage may have already been done as Gospel hip hop star LeCrae says he's joining in on the boycott.

We'll keep you posted on this story.