Ellen DeGeneres is taking heat on social media from people upset with a photoshopped picture she posted on Twitter. The comedian’s photo showed her riding Olympian Usain Bolt’s back with the caption “This is how I’m running errands from now on.” Bolt is black; DeGeneres is white.
The talk show host responded to the accusations of racism yesterday, tweeting “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.”
Bolt, for his part, retweeted the image without complaint.
Check out the photo, DeGeneres’ response, and tweets from angry fans below.
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What do you think? Was the tweet racist? Let us know in the comments.
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
@usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you…
Ok.
— 🤠 (@MiQL) August 15, 2016
they were complimented on their strength. So i guess they weren't racist. pic.twitter.com/sXgo85VSvW
— Reothabetse (@Br_mabe) August 16, 2016
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