Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin has disclosed that he ceased communication with his mother at age 32.
In an appearance on the ‘Funky Friday’ podcast, the 54-year-old musician revealed that the rift began when his mother introduced her new husband while Franklin was attempting to assist his sister, who had just been released from prison.
“This is the first time I’m sharing this story,” Franklin said. “I stopped talking to my biological mother when I was 32. My sister had just gotten out of prison, and I was the only one supporting her with housing and other needs when my mother brought her new husband into the situation.”
“She was still battling drug addiction, which was overwhelming for someone my age to handle alone. We needed to stage an intervention to assist her. Remember, she’s not my daughter; she’s my sister, and she has her own mother.
“We held a family meeting, but my biological mother arrived with her new husband. The intervention was proceeding well, and when it concluded, we all embraced. After not being together for years, someone commented, ‘This is so beautiful. This is what family should be doing.’”
“I said, ‘This is not about us; it’s about my sister who has just been released.’ After that, my mother’s new husband shouted, ‘What you need to do is call your mama sometimes.’ I responded, ‘Sir, I don’t know who you are, but she’s the mother and I’m the child.’ He retorted, ‘Yeah, but you call yourself a Christian.’
The argument escalated, and then my mother did something that broke my heart. She took his hand and said, ‘Come on, baby, let’s go,’ and walked out of the house with him and her two kids. I shouted at my mother, ‘That’s right, go ahead and walk out like you always do.’
The fact that she chose to leave with him rather than stand by me and my siblings whom she did not raise, nurture, or protect was devastating. I vowed to myself that as a grown man, I would never again be in a position where I’d be treated like that.”
Watch the video below:
