The 'Ellen Show' tweeted about Usain Bolt -- and people are calling it racist
After Usain Bolt's gold medal win in the 100-meter race at the Rio Olympics Sunday, the world continued to be in awe of his speed (and coolness under pressure).
Ellen DeGeneres (or perhaps a social media producer) was equally as impressed by Bolt's almost super-human speed and decided it was a good idea to tweet this from the Ellen Show's Twitter account:
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
In the photoshopped photo, DeGeneres is riding piggyback on Bolt, using him for transport. Considering America's history of slavery, where black women and men were listed and sold much like horses and mules to do labor, this tweet didn't go over well with many.
The Ellen Show account followed up the tweet with a video of Bolt's visit to the show last season.
Heres something you dont see very often-@UsainBolt losing a race. This was 1 of my favorite moments from last season https://t.co/oj9qC03Kxu
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
The show's tone deaf tweet is just another example of black Olympic athletes having their accomplishments trivialized, overshadowed or forgotten altogether.
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has had to constantly face criticism for her hair. Now Bolt's record-shattering accomplishments are being reduced to stereotypical punchlines.
Tuesday, DeGeneres addressed the controversy:
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
As of this writing, the tweet is still live on the Ellen Show Twitter page.
See photos of Ellen DeGeneres through the years:
