This article was originally published on time.com.
The internet is angry with Ellen DeGeneres for photoshopping herself riding Usain Bolt’s back onto a now-famous image of Bolt smiling as he sprints toward the gold medal in the 100-meter race at the Rio Olympics.
DeGeneres shared the picture on Monday, with a caption that said, “This is how I’m running errands from now on.”
The tweet prompted immediate backlash from many users who said the image was racist for showing a white woman riding on the back of a black man.
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) August 15, 2016
In the replies to DeGeneres’s tweet, people called the photo “offensive,” and said that by appearing to ride Bolt’s back, the daytime talk show host likened him to a mule or a piece of property.
https://twitter.com/MiQL/status/765336547273027584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Others jumped to DeGeneres’s defense, and said she was not racist, but just commenting on Bolt’s speed.
What's wrong with it? She's saying he's fast. Nothing more. Nothing less
— Lord Rev. Young (@BryanIsTheKing) August 16, 2016
you guys are being mad petty over something so damn simple. ellen is a nice and generous person she isn't being racist.
— 🐚 (@fourfivehours) August 16, 2016
DeGeneres acknowledged the backlash in a tweet on Tuesday.
I am highly aware of the racism that exists in our country. It is the furthest thing from who I am.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) August 16, 2016