Classy move by Rev. Jasper Williams Jr.

Aretha Franklin’s Family Laments “Distasteful” Eulogy

Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. espoused controversial views on Black Lives Matter, single parenthood, and more

Aretha Franklin’s family has criticized Rev. Jasper Williams Jr.’s “offensive and distasteful” eulogy for the late Queen of Soul at her funeral last week. In a statement on behalf of the family, Aretha’s nephew Vaughn Franklin said the Atlanta pastor “spoke for 50 minutes and at no time did he properly eulogize her.” The contents of the eulogy, which included controversial views on Black Lives Matter, single parenthood, and more, had not been discussed in advance and “caught the entire family off guard,” Vaughn Franklin told AP News. In the statement, he added, “We feel that Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr. used this platform to push his negative agenda, which as a family, we do not agree with.”

Of the criticism, Williams said, “I understand it. I regret it. But I’m sorry they feel that way.” One of Williams’ controversial statements—that black-on-black crime devalues the Black Lives Matter movement—received pushback from Stevie Wonder at the funeral, AP reports. Williams had said, “Black lives must not matter until black people start respecting black lives and stop killing ourselves.” When he added, “No, black lives do not matter,” Wonder yelled out, “Black lives matter.” Williams also said that a black mother alone can’t raise a black boy to be a man, describing children living in fatherless homes as “abortion after birth.” Aretha Franklin raised four boys as a single mother.

Read Pitchfork’s Afterword feature “How Aretha Franklin Earned Her Crown As the Queen of Soul.”

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