Kid Rock Accepts Controversial NAACP Honor In Detroit

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    Kid Rock Accepts Controversial NAACP Honor In Detroit
    Posted by
    WebCrew
    May 02, 2011

    Kid Rock gave as well as received on Sunday night (May 1) in his home town.

    While accepting his controversial Great Expectations Award at the Detroit branch of the NAACP's 56th annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, Rock announced $100,000 in donations -- five $10,000 grants to Motor City-based organizations and $50,000 to the American Red Cross for tornado victims in U.S. Southern states. Many in the crowd announced at more than 10,000 gave Rock a standing ovation, diffusing a bit of the controversy that surrounded the award.

    Critics felt it was inappropriate for the NAACP to honor Rock since he uses a Confederate flag in his stage shows and videos. Outside of Cobo Hall, where the dinner was held, a couple of dozen protesters marched with Say No To Kid Rock signs and at one point burned a Confederate flag over a garbage can. Adolph Mongo, a Detroit political consultant who was outspoken in his opposition to the award, said that the flag "stands for hatred, bigotry, racism, murder. "Every bigot and racist in this country loves that flag." He added that, "If Kid Rock was alive in the 50s in Selma (Ala.) he would have beaten up John Lewis and waving the Confederate flag." Lewis, a leading Civil Rights activist and now a U.S. Representative from Georgia, was one of the night's other honorees.

    During his brief remarks, Rock -- who attended the dinner with his son, Bob Ritchie, Jr., brother Billy Ritchie and production manager Eric "Shakes" Gryzbowski -- told the crowed that "I've never flown that flag with hate in my heart, not one ounce." He explained that his use of the image was an "homage" to Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, who he's name-checked in his songs and whose "Sweet Home Alabama" was an ingredient in his 2008 mash-up hit, "All Summer Long." Rock explained that he made the donations to "turn a negative into a positive," and concluded his speech by saying that, "I love America, I love Detroit and I love black people!"

    In presenting the award to Rock, Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony acknowledged the controversy as well as his organizations opposition to what the Confederate flag represents and noted that Rock "has stirred the pot" by using it. But he added that "we are not saluting the flag. We are saluting the works" that Rock has done in the community.

    Rock returns to the road this week with a pair of casino shows in Thackerville, Okla., before playing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Sunday (May 8). He begins a five-date Canadian tour on May 31, then starts a summer run with Sheryl Crow on July 2 in Cincinnati.

    SOURCE: Billboard.com

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WebCrew's picture
Submitted by WebCrew
on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 2:14pm

Kid Rock gave as well as received on Sunday night (May 1) in his home town.

While accepting his controversial Great Expectations Award at the Detroit branch of the NAACP's 56th annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, Rock announced $100,000 in donations -- five $10,000 grants to Motor City-based organizations and $50,000 to the American Red Cross for tornado victims in U.S. Southern states. Many in the crowd announced at more than 10,000 gave Rock a standing ovation, diffusing a bit of the controversy that surrounded the award.

Critics felt it was inappropriate for the NAACP to honor Rock since he uses a Confederate flag in his stage shows and videos. Outside of Cobo Hall, where the dinner was held, a couple of dozen protesters marched with Say No To Kid Rock signs and at one point burned a Confederate flag over a garbage can. Adolph Mongo, a Detroit political consultant who was outspoken in his opposition to the award, said that the flag "stands for hatred, bigotry, racism, murder. "Every bigot and racist in this country loves that flag." He added that, "If Kid Rock was alive in the 50s in Selma (Ala.) he would have beaten up John Lewis and waving the Confederate flag." Lewis, a leading Civil Rights activist and now a U.S. Representative from Georgia, was one of the night's other honorees.

During his brief remarks, Rock -- who attended the dinner with his son, Bob Ritchie, Jr., brother Billy Ritchie and production manager Eric "Shakes" Gryzbowski -- told the crowed that "I've never flown that flag with hate in my heart, not one ounce." He explained that his use of the image was an "homage" to Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, who he's name-checked in his songs and whose "Sweet Home Alabama" was an ingredient in his 2008 mash-up hit, "All Summer Long." Rock explained that he made the donations to "turn a negative into a positive," and concluded his speech by saying that, "I love America, I love Detroit and I love black people!"

In presenting the award to Rock, Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony acknowledged the controversy as well as his organizations opposition to what the Confederate flag represents and noted that Rock "has stirred the pot" by using it. But he added that "we are not saluting the flag. We are saluting the works" that Rock has done in the community.

Rock returns to the road this week with a pair of casino shows in Thackerville, Okla., before playing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Sunday (May 8). He begins a five-date Canadian tour on May 31, then starts a summer run with Sheryl Crow on July 2 in Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Billboard.com

Comments

Kim_30's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 9:59pm — Kim_30
Funny, my MISSION on the cruise was to get a pic with you while wearing my Confederate Flag bikini (which i did!!!!!!)- no thoughts of racism in my mind! Peoples' perceptions change over time- we don't think about where to sit on the bus, what bathroom or fountain to use or who to have as our friends any more. I love what "southern people" stand for. I'm a stuffy, midwestern business person from 9-5, livin' for Saturday night (God bless Saturday)!!!!! Thank you for making the confederate flag a positive symbol, and congrats on a well deserved award!!
GGLDUMY's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 9:32pm — GGLDUMY
Congratulations! As you know, people will talk... blah blah all bullshit. Tell em to put their money where their mouth is. Did they drop checks? nah didn't think so. When they do as much as you have/are doing, then they have the right to point a finger, and a finger at what? Fuck em !
CANADIANGIRL_3's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 8:21pm — CANADIANGIRL_3
I AGREE I LUV U FOR THE WAY U R CONGRATS MY AMERICAN COWBOY NICE TO SEE U AND YOUR SON YOUR DOING AN AMAZING JOB LUV U CHEERS:)
Jennifer Lynn Sloan's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 7:36pm — Jennifer Lynn Sloan
I hope you continue to fly that flag proudly, who cares what they "think"!!! Your true fans "know" who you are and we ALL love you just the way you are, don't change a thing!!!!
MJKYLADY's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 7:27pm — MJKYLADY
Congrats Bob! Glad you showed them how to turn a negative into a positive. Bless you!
Krangel4ever's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 7:14pm — Krangel4ever
Congrats Kid on the award..you deserve that and more! Thank you for all your donations to help those in need! Love from a true SOUTHERN girl!
dog and pony show's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 7:05pm — dog and pony show
No matter what a person does, some people are always going to bitch.
Robin Durochia's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 6:49pm — Robin Durochia
Congratulations on your award - you do deserve it! You are a truly good man and good American. Obviously, these protestors have never been to one of your shows to see how you honor our country, our flag and your fans. Us" true" Kid Rock fans love you and thank you for all that you do. God Bless!
Beckxy's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 5:44pm — Beckxy
Bob Rocks !!
rlfchigao10's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 5:23pm — rlfchigao10
As always you make us proud to be an American....love you!
Margo C's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 5:08pm — Margo C
Those people protesting Kid Rock are just frickin idiot, shit stirrers. Makes me wonder what Kid Rock's biracial son & Kid's black friends think of those people saying he's racist....the whole controversy is frickin retarded. You deserve the award, you do many good things for Detroit & Michigan.
WRAPAROUNDS's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 4:57pm — WRAPAROUNDS
I LOVE BOB...aka... Dad...aka... Kid Rock.... ALL THE HATERS JUST KEEP ON HATING AND KID WILL JUST KEEP ON "ROCKIN"..... CONGRATS-FROM A SOUTHERN GIRL!!!!
Doc Rock_2's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 4:50pm — Doc Rock_2
That comment was just a crock of bullshit! The rebel flag does NOT represent hatred toward black people! Kid Rock is by far not racist. News Flash: half the people in his band are black. Also, like I've heard people say, he's done more for Detroit and America than anybody I know. Kid Rock deserved that award and he deserves every other award he has coming, because I know he's got a lot more coming. Oh yeah, btw, the confederate flag does not stand for hatred of blacks, it stands for southern heritage and a lot of rockers use it. I'm sorry but if the rebel flag offends you, you need a history lesson.
KRSVal's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 4:44pm — KRSVal
I'm glad that Bob waited to share his comments about this controversy..the NAACP audience were the ones that needed to hear the explanation. Once again, such a giving person with the donations, a giving heart for sure, and a pure, color-blind heart as well; no malice intended. Altho, with that being said, I hope we don't see the confederate flag being used again. We have so much more to celebrate now, especially with our victory today after 10 long years, that we need to be showing unity with Old Glory and Old Glory alone. JMO Love ya!!!! KRCVal
JEFFPEREA's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 4:41pm — JEFFPEREA
Bobby has nothing to explain, his son is 1/2 black. His drummer and sax player are black and he loves ALL music and musicians equally. Rock on Bro!
itsrealnifeelit's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 4:37pm — itsrealnifeelit
kid rock a bigot & racist? he's done more for d-town in a day than mongo ever will.POSITIVE that is!! keep it up n keep it real rock. UR the MAN. fuck it I can't help it. mongo ur a fucking idiot!! ur comment is the stupidest bullshit I've ever heard. Go fuck yourself you ignorant motherfucket!! better yet say it to his face n get ur punk ass pimp slapped. REAL. out.
jacko13's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 4:22pm — jacko13
You are a singing/playing legend and our HERO BRO!!!
SherZ's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:50pm — SherZ
Keep on'a Rockin' Bob Ritchie!!! :)
Ukulele's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:42pm — Ukulele
Hey Kid, Why did you stand up my friends doing the Cobo hall movie they just wanted an interview. Now they have to pay for renting out Cobo Hall for a day for nothing! Thanks for helping a Detroit movie.
michelle13's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:41pm — michelle13
Congratulations AGAIN and what am awesome MAN you are, always remembering where you came from and always willing to HELP OUT OTHERS! ;)
kidrockangel's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:40pm — kidrockangel
would love to see video of this
HM52's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:29pm — HM52
Nice work my friend.....al always you make us proud Mr. Ritchie....:)
Harleychick71's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:08pm — Harleychick71
I personally believe that people need piss and moan just to raise controversy. Kid is as northern as they get! D-town baby! He has done a lot for disaster relief across the nation. I read that he was been called a bigot??? Really? Half of his band is black!
STAUTER007's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 3:06pm — STAUTER007
That all sounds like a personal problem to me. Some times it is better to not get caught up in all of some crazies belief... Becacuse we are all like medicine. It affects us in different ways. When I say crazies...Some people appear to be normal however in the first two or three words you can tell whether they are off thier rocker or not! That is if you are listening. Some ones interpretation is very very different from someone elses. You say tomato I say Tamato... Get it. Besides this would be the bright side: Times are a changing...And that is GOOD medicine. What else?
canton kid fan's picture

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 2:31pm — canton kid fan
i was able to attend the dinner last night and i thought that kid rock was absolutely deserving of the award...he explained himself in regards to the flag and in regards to his love of the city....he seemed humbled to receive the award and respectful of all those around him...the persona and the person are not always the same and i truly think he has a great heart...great job kid! congratulations!

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