Kid Rock Honored By NAACP
Despite grumblings from some members of its organization, popular rocker Kid Rick accepted the honorary Great Expectations award from the Detroit branch of the NAACP over the weekend.
The decision to honor Rock was challenged by some of the group’s constituents because of the McComb County, MI native’s use of confederate flags during his on-stage performances. Rock tried to quell angst by telling the nearly 10,000 people in attendance that he is far from racist.
“I love America. I love Detroit, and I love black people,” the musician said Sunday (May 1) during the NAACP’s annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner in Detroit.
Prior to the event some 50 plus people picketed in from the building, in opposition of the organizations decision to honor Rock, burning a confederate flag in protest.
Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony stands by his decision to honor Rock saying before the event, “We’re not lifting up the flag. We’re lifting up a gentleman who has worked very hard to be a booster for Detroit.”
Rock, real name Robert Ritchie, was greeted with applause as he accepted his award and announced that his organization will be donating $50,000 to several groups in the city. The entertainer also revealed he would be donating another $50,000 to storm relief in the Southern states affected by recent storms.
As previously reported, when the decision to honor Kid Rock was first announced many were outraged, feeling that the artist’s use of the confederate flag during shows is counterproductive to what the NAACP stands for.
