Ellen Degeneres responds to accusations of racism amid backlash over Usain Bolt tweet
Better think fast.
Ellen DeGeneres has responded to accusations that a digitally altered image she tweeted on Monday of Usain Bolt was racist.
The talk show host addressed the controversy Tuesday morning on Twitter.
(Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
The picture in question features DeGeneres getting a piggyback from Bolt while he races to his semifinal win at the Olympics.
The caption reads, “This is how I'm running errands from now on. #Rio2016.”
Some Twitter users felt the image — a white woman riding on top of a black man — had racist undertones.
This is how I’m running errands from now on.#Rio2016
@TheEllenShow @usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you...
Ok.
— 777-9311 (@MiQL) August 15, 2016
DeGeneres was quick to address the backlash on Twitter.
“I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country,” she tweeted Tuesday.
“It is the furthest thing from who I am.”
Bolt didn’t seem to mind, however — the Jamaican sprinter, who appeared on “Ellen” last season, retweeted DeGeneres’ controversial post last night.
This is how I’m running errands from now on.#Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
@TheEllenShow honestly this is offensive.
The now-famous shot of the athlete sees Bolt sprinting to a win during the 100-meter race at the Rio Olympics.
The perfectly-timed picture quickly went viral with internet users creating thousands of memes.
Bolt retweeted DeGeneres’ controversial post last night
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