Ellen Degeneres Responds to Usain Bolt Tweet Backlash

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Ellen Degeneres is not going to sit idely by while being labeled a racist- the comedian has responded to a tweet of hers that, while meant to be a joke, struck the wrong nerve with audiences.

Ellen tweeted a picture of herself and Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world and Olympic gold medalist, but the context is what made fans more than uneasy. The photo, which features the caption “This is how I’m running errands from now on” shows the talk show riding on Usain’s back. Bolt himself retweeted the meme, but that didn’t help the message become anymore well-received.

This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016

Ellen’s audience immediately took to social media to let her know how they felt about the joke gone wrong:

@daibyday @TheEllenShow seriously, WTF?

— iyonah (@iyonah) August 15, 2016

@TheEllenShow You thought it'd be funny to post a pic of yourself riding on the back of a Black man? Nope. Delete this racist garbage.

— Mike (@MikeAllen_47) August 15, 2016

@fourfivehours @TheEllenShow @usainbolt they were complimented on their strength. So i guess they weren't racist. pic.twitter.com/sXgo85VSvW

— Fighting Jurist (@Br_mabe) August 16, 2016

@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

Dear @TheEllenShow: Whatever intern thought this tweet was a good idea should be fired. Immediately. pic.twitter.com/qcVqSBJE5e

— Ⓐ #GrumpyCuntSec Ⓐ (@brazenqueer) August 16, 2016

Ellen responded to the backlash with a simple tweet writing, “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.”

I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 16, 2016

Photo Credit: Ellen/Twitter

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