When Bishop T.D. Jakes used the phraseology “Kenya natives” to tout his Mega Care charity’s aid to Kenyans in a rant against the “Preachers of LA” cast, the backlash was swift, forcing the Dallas mega pastor to issue a formal apology.
Now, multi award-winning gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin is apologizing after upsetting some citizens of the Republic of Uganda by classifying them as “poor” in a tweet—one he says was intended to convey his disapproval of the kind of Westernized theology that heavily focuses on prosperity preaching.
Franklin’s original message posted to his official Twitter account Nov. 17 read,
Though simple and concise in its messaging, some took offense to the Fo Yo Soul records CEO’s focus on the region’s poverty, viewing it as an unfavorable characterization.
After realizing his words had been taken out of context, Franklin attempted to clear up any ambiguities about his original statements.
tweeted Franklin on Monday, Nov. 18, the day after posting his controversy-inducing thoughts.
He continued,
Franklin’s international ministry has been experienced in Uganda, a country he says he loves and has called “beautiful” on multiple occasions, even though the musician has encountered its violence and riots firsthand.
In 2009, while on a tour stop, Franklin and his band were forced to sit on the side of the road to avoid shooting in the Ugandan city of Kampala, where rebel forces began attacking. The frightening experience occurred on the group’s return back to their hotels from a lunch event at the home of the country’s then Vice President, Gilbert Bukenya.
After being forced to make U-turn and sit on the roadside to avoid danger, things escalated. Once security forces were deployed to help protect Franklin and his crew, angry soldiers threw rocks at the bus and shooting ensued.
“I have the team get down on the floor and the security police guy on the bus with us sticks his AK 47 out of the window on the bus with us and he’s shooting at the people and so that really kind of shook us up,” he described in a YouTube video about the incident.
Everyone made it out safely and Franklin carried on with his concert the following night.