Ellen DeGeneres's Usain Bolt Photo Considered Racist
Ellen DeGeneres Is Facing Backlash Over Her "Racist" Usain Bolt Photo — Do You Agree?
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
Ellen DeGeneres is facing criticism for posting an edited photo of her riding on Usain Bolt's back in the now-famous image of him winning the 100-meter sprint. In the tweet, DeGeneres shared the photoshopped image with the caption, "This is how I'm running errands from now on. #Rio2016."
After many called it racist, DeGeneres tweeted a response.
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
DeGeneres's humor was lost on many users who considered the edited photo of a white woman riding on the back of a black man as racially thoughtless. Here's how people reacted.
@TheEllenShow honestly this is offensive.
— Jazz (@JazzleDazzler) August 15, 2016
@TheEllenShow despite its intentions this pic has ugly connotations comin from a rich white lady
— emily (@emilypttrsn) August 16, 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
This is how slavery started. "@TheEllenShow This is how I'm running errands from now on. #Rio2016 " pic.twitter.com/dnURdymLxi
— Michael Knight (@SchoolEm_Jonesy) August 16, 2016
However, some users simply took her joke at face value.
@TheEllenShow @usainbolt literally I'm black and don't take offense to this she's basically complimenting him on his speed and stamina
— R (@fourfivehours) August 15, 2016
@TheEllenShow @usainbolt i dont know why ppl are offended by this. This is the fastest man in the world we're talking about
— Pretty Flacko Trezzy (@tbyrd423) August 16, 2016
@TheEllenShow @usainbolt the general Jamaican populous finds this hilarious. Not everythin is racially charged. Lighten up America.Sgn: #jam
— тяσυвℓє❧ (@Beatof_theHeart) August 16, 2016
It seems Usain Bolt was not offended by the tweet since he retweeted her post. Let us know what you think by taking our poll.