Comedy and controversy often go hand-in-hand, but suit-wearing kween Ellen DeGeneres isn’t exactly known for her envelope-pushing sense of humour – until now.
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
The gag prompted immediate backlash from people who said it was a depressing example of white privilege and ignorance, and the height of racism to show a white woman being piggybacked by a black man to run errands.
@TheEllenShow @usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you…
Ok.
— 777-9311 (@MiQL) August 15, 2016
@TheEllenShow honestly this is offensive.
— Jazz (@JazzleDazzler) August 15, 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
Dear @TheEllenShow: Whatever intern thought this tweet was a good idea should be fired. Immediately. pic.twitter.com/qcVqSBJE5e
— ? #GrumpyCuntSec ? (@brazenqueer) August 16, 2016
@daibyday @TheEllenShow seriously, WTF?
— iyonah (@iyonah) August 15, 2016
@iyonah @daibyday @TheEllenShow What’s wrong with it? She’s saying he’s fast. Nothing more. Nothing less
— Bryan Young (@BryanIsTheKing) August 16, 2016
@BryanIsTheKing @iyonah @daibyday @TheEllenShow people love creating stories. Ellen’s apparently now a racist. Ellen.
— Kellz (@ChippedKelly) August 16, 2016
@TrilogyEBK @JazzleDazzler @TheEllenShow white people get offended for black people way too much on here
— Daquan Happ (@jacklovesderay) August 16, 2016
@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
@MikeAllen_47 Usain Bolt retweeted it so if he isn’t offended, why are you?
— Lindsey || 87 days (@HobbitLindsey) August 16, 2016
Yall selectively woke huh ??? YALL PICK AND CHOOSE who to be mad at LOL … half-baked revolutionaries turn my belly. fake activists!
— Life of Starry (@StarryToronto) August 16, 2016
@TheEllenShow despite its intentions this pic has ugly connotations comin from a rich white lady
— emily (@emilypttrsn) August 16, 2016
Look, it was a misguided attempt at a funny that couldn’t been left unsaid – but you gotta give Ellen the benefit of the doubt on this one, if only because she’s far from a repeat offender.
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
