Los Angeles: Ellen DeGeneres says she's not racist after receiving backlash on social media for posting an edited photo of herself riding on the back of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
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
The talk show host said Tuesday on Twitter that she's "highly aware of the racism that exists in our country" but that's "the furthest thing from who I am."
DeGeneres posted the photo Monday with the caption: "This is how I'm running errands from now on."
The image of a white woman riding a black man was criticized by many users on social media.
The original photo of Bolt smiling while running went viral following his gold medal win in the 100-meter dash.
Many Twitter users to came to her defence and said that the photo was not racist and that Bolt himself retweeted the photo.
So, are we still gonna call #Ellen a racist when Usain Bolt retweeted that picture? #Rio2016
— Dave Gordon (@Rose_Dungeon) August 16, 2016
People going after #Ellen for that #UsainBolt photo need to GAFL and stop trying to find racism where it doesn't exist.
— Big Hush (@BigHushofTX) August 16, 2016
The comedienne frequently posts photos of herself edited into topical moments and scenes from popular films and TV shows.
