Gospel and Christian stars have come together to boycott the Dove Awards and its associated television station due to alleged diversity suppression.
Kirk Franklin shared with fans on a video that he would not be attending any events affiliated with the Dove awards, Gospel Music Association, or the Trinity Broadcast Network going forward.
He began the announcement saying, "Today, I feel like quitting.
"For so long, the words Christian and Gospel were code words for white and black, which history may teach us was a set-up for this unfortunate place we find ourselves today," Franklin says.
Franklin won Best Gospel Artist of the Year in 2016 and 2019 at the Dove Awards. In both instances, his acceptance speeches included tributes and acknowledgements of racial injustices occurring in the United States. Each time, those sections of his speeches were edited out once aired on television.
He explains to fans the importance and purpose behind those moments and how it was received. Reflecting on the 2016 speech Franklin says, "during that awards speech, I felt the responsibility as a Christian and a man of colour to address the civil unrest at that time that was plaguing our country with the killings of Philando Castile and Walter Scott by white police officers and at the same time the horrific killings of five Dallas police officers by an African American. After a standing ovation, we prayed and stood in unity for all the families affected by all those tragedies. We all felt that moment there was a shift in the climate of our separate worlds.
"Unfortunately when it aired on TBN that part of my speech was edited out. The Dove Award committee promised to rectify the mistake so that it wouldn't happen again. I never heard from TBN," Franklin says.
"Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience."
"In 2019, history repeated itself. I was humbled to win the same award ... again that part of my speech was taken out," Franklin says.
After meetings with TBN representatives, the Dove Awards committee, as well as prayer and consultation with his team Franklin, made the boycott decision. This boycott will be in place "until tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity, especially when people of colour have helped build the viability of these institutions," Franklin says.
"We accept the responsibility of our error. Although completely unintentional, we understand it caused great harm and deeply wounded many in the African American and Gospel community.
"Due to our broadcast window, we had to significantly edit the Dove telecast to 2 hours, which aired Sunday, October 20th," Jackie Patillo President and Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association says in a statement.
Franklin is not alone in this decision. Christian artist Natalie Grant, friend and rapper Lecrae, pastors, Gospel, and secular artists are gathering behind Franklin's announcement. “I only came cause you came. You know I’m out,” Lecrae says to Franklin.
"I look with anticipation for that day of healing."
Grant says, “Love and respect you so much. Thank you for using your platform to speak truth in love, and always with a spirit of humility. You’re consistently calling us toward unity.”
"My goal will forever be reconciliation and accountability. Not only did they edit my speech, they edited the African American experience," Franklin says.
For Franklin, this isn't the end. "I pray there will be a significant change from this painful experience. I look with anticipation for that day of healing and I am committed to contributing to that process.
"In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends," Franklin says.
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