Thu 18 Aug 2016 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Ellen DeGeneres has responded to accusations of racism after she posted a meme on her Twitter account that shows her on Olympian Usain Bolt’s back. Alongside the image, she wrote “This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016”. The viral image of the Jamaican sprinter has has inspired many versions, but none as notably criticised as the one from the talk show host. The depiction of a white woman being carried by a black man has been widely criticised as racist, with responses on Twitter such as “So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you… Ok.” and “Ellen must learn how real her white privilege is #BoycottEllen #blacklivesmatter”. DeGeneres responded to the criticism tweeting “I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country” and “It is the furthest thing from who I am”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 18th August 2016 - 9:52am