Ellen DeGeneres joke with Usain Bolt generated accusations of racism – BBC World

Image copyright Twitter

Image caption “this is how I do my errands from now on,” says Ellen DeGeneres tweet that accompanies this meme.

A tweet released by the comic known and TV presenter United States Ellen DeGeneres, which is seen mounted on the back of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, has been branded a racist.

“This is how I will make my errands from now on,” DeGeneres wrote next to a photomontage of her horse on the shoulders of champion flat 100 meters at the Olympics Rio 2016.

the Jamaican sprinter itself is between the tens of thousands that have retweeted .

But what some interpreted as a funny and innocent joke, others have criticized as a mockery ignorant .

“I am very aware of the racism that exists in our country. that’s the thing farthest is what I am, “he replied the comic in another tweet .

Some people, however, consider that DeGeneres not understand exactly why the tweet could offend others.

to support his criticism, a user launched next meme DeGeneres, photographs from the era of slavery in the US . showing black carrying white on their backs.

Image copyright Twitter

Image caption “Initially I did not see what was the trouble with the photo of Ellen DeGeneres, until …” says the commentary Xyla-phone

This, in any case, is not the first time DeGeneres has been embroiled in a controversy of racism.

In April, advertising a new line of clothes for children in which the comic was working with the Gap brand, it was removed from the market after receiving harsh criticism.

Image copyright Gap Kids

the image, showing a tall white girl resting his arm on the head of a petite black girl , was described by critics as “passive racism” .

Similarly, in 2015, a parody of the back of the rapper Nicki Minaj was also controversial .

The online magazine Mic said the parody revealed a lack of respect for the body of black women.

Nevertheless, DeGeneres has also been praised for challenging discrimination in the past.

Image copyright Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Image caption Ellen DeGeneres (right.) with his wife, actress Portia de Rossi.

Last month, said it was time for diversify the affiliation of the US Film Academy which organizes the Oscars ceremony.

His comments followed within the framework of the controversy over the lack of nominations for black actors to the main awards.

“It always amazes me that there us taken so long to realize that we should all be represented in film and television, “he said. “There’s a planet full of people who are white and heterosexual us. There are many people of color, fat people, people who are not absolutely perfect.”