Ellen DeGeneres has responded to accusations that a meme she Photoshopped of Jamaican runner Usain Bolt is racist. Ellen’s meme shows her riding on the Olympic runner’s back. Many saw this when they looked at the image.
Said Ellen in a later tweet: “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.”
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
Here are a few examples of what others have done with it:
https://twitter.com/RealLifeKaz/status/765002407306604544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/fivefifths/status/764985647006220292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Finally someone made a meme to this!!😭😭 #editedforobviousreasons #UsainBolt You can look back&still be winner sheesh pic.twitter.com/KTgG23WqUs
— Erika Fernandez (@CurlsAndSports) August 15, 2016
Many took issue with Ellen’s version:
https://twitter.com/MikeAllen_47/status/765332700194443264
@usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you…
Ok.
— You can't reform this. (@MiQL) August 15, 2016
I find the image of a white woman riding on a black man's back triggering. Some don't, I do & that's life
— Tony Sparks (@WarWizard) August 16, 2016
Ellen responded:
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
