Friday, March 29, 2024

Ellen DeGeneres Defends Against Racism Allegations Over Usain Bolt Photoshop

Usain Bolt of Jamaica competes in the Men's 100 meter semifinal on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Usain Bolt of Jamaica competes in the Men’s 100 meter semifinal on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

*Ellen DeGeneres Photoshopped herself onto the back of Usain Bolt in the now-iconic photo of him winning the 100M semifinal in Rio, and tweeted the pic Monday with the caption, “This is how I’m running errands from now on.”

Ellen instead ran right into accusations of racism, with some Twitter users saying it is racially insensitive of her to picture herself being carried around piggyback style by a black man.

Below are examples of the backlash:

@TheEllenShow so the first thing that pops in your head when looking at this pic is “oh let me jump onto his back like he’s a common mule”?
— Jon Snow-ratio (@Jhoratio) August 15, 2016

@TheEllenShow This is so gross. Fire whoever did this.
— dai for night (@daibyday) August 15, 2016

DeGeneres responded Tuesday, tweeting, “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.”

But for some, her apology fell on deaf ears.

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

YOU MAY LIKE

SEARCH

- Advertisement -

TRENDING