Ellen DeGeneres accused of racism over Usain Bolt meme

Usain Bolt’s mid-race smile has become a new template for internet memes as the Jamaican sprinter effortlessly won the men's 100m race semi-final at the Olympics in Rio and still found the time to crack a smile for the camera.

As the picture began making the rounds on social media, Twitter soon erupted with memes.



https://twitter.com/sporker_/status/764991901535797249

On Monday, Ellen DeGeneres also posted her own meme of her riding the back of the gold medalist.

This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao

— The Ellen Show (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016

However, what was meant as a joke soon backfired as many considered the image to be racist and insensitive.

@usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you...

Ok.

— Mr. Chris Love (@MiQL) August 15, 2016

If I ignored US history & current climate of police lynching us, this "joke" would be hilarious.

— Mr. Chris Love (@MiQL) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/MikeAllen_47/status/765332700194443264

https://twitter.com/Br_mabe/status/765612537765367808



There were many, however, who had the comedian's back, with even Bolt retweeting the image.

https://twitter.com/McDermie/status/765759788068339713

Oh relax, you politically correct babies. @TheEllenShow wasn't racist. Not everything is racist.

Grow up. https://t.co/n429SdTo3v

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) August 17, 2016

The fact that Ellen DeGeneres of all people could be accused of being racist shows how insane this victim culture is https://t.co/YEKQT8ha1u

— On the Right Side (@RightOfCenterUS) August 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/LuluLefferts/status/765682948087488512

Tweet from #Ellen with #UsainBolt has everyone upset. Understandable - obviously photoshopped to make her look thin. pic.twitter.com/ftx90qYodN

— Brad Markowitz (@bradmarkowitz) August 16, 2016

DeGeneres has since responded to the criticism with two more tweets.

I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.

— The Ellen Show (@TheEllenShow) August 16, 2016

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

— The Ellen Show (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016