Ellen DeGeneres slammed as racist following THAT Usain Bolt photo
It's rare you hear Ellen DeGeneres coming under fire for anything, so when she does find herself on the receiving end of public criticism media outlets really do sit up and pay attention.
As the darling of daytime chat shows and the queen of all things Oscar-related, Ellen has barely put a foot wrong since her star ascended in mid-nineties, but it looks like the day has come for the 58-year-old star.
Taking to Twitter earlier this week, Ellen shared a photoshopped snap of herself and Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, and joked that she was going to require Usain's assistance for all future tasks.
Pictured riding on the back of the Olympic gold medallist, Ellen wrote: "This is how I’m running errands from now on."
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
While the vast majority of Ellen's followers took the post in the manner it was intended, a vast number took exception and wasted no time calling the star out on the racist connotations of the photograph.
"You thought it'd be funny to post a pic of yourself riding on the back of a Black man? Nope," wrote one. "Delete this racist garbage."
Honestly seeing Black folks defend that Ellen photo of Usain is depressing. "she was just saying he is fast" Oh yea? pic.twitter.com/rE1YGIPpIu
— Leslie Mac (@LeslieMac) August 16, 2016
"This is utterly f*cking ridiculous. How dare you!?" slammed one while another added: "Ellen, your whiteness is showing."
Responding to the accusations, Ellen swiftly attempted to placate social media users, insisting: "I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am."
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
Unfortunately for Ellen, not everyone was satisfied by her follow-up tweet with many demanding an explanation for the post.