No one is immune from being attacked by an army of humorless social justice warriors, not even a groundbreaking lesbian comedian like Ellen DeGeneres.
The popular daytime talk show host put up an innocent meme of her riding on the back of Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt and joked, "This is how I’m running errands from now on."
This is how I’m running errands from now on. #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/gYPtG9T1ao
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 15, 2016
Social justice warriors immediately leapt from their ivory towers and onto their soap boxes to call DeGeneres a racist for portraying the black Olympian as nothing more than a mule or donkey to ride around town.
@daibyday @TheEllenShow an apology won't do. This is utterly fucking ridiculous. How dare you!?!?
— iyonah (@iyonah) August 15, 2016
@TheEllenShow @usainbolt So riding on his back like a mule, a horse as some form of property is fun to you...
— 777-9311 (@MiQL) August 15, 2016
Ok.
@fourfivehours @TheEllenShow @usainbolt they were complimented on their strength. So i guess they weren't racist. pic.twitter.com/sXgo85VSvW
— Fighting Jurist (@Br_mabe) August 16, 2016
@TheEllenShow You thought it'd be funny to post a pic of yourself riding on the back of a Black man? Nope. Delete this racist garbage.
— Mike (@MikeAllen_47) August 15, 2016
Dear @TheEllenShow: Whatever intern thought this tweet was a good idea should be fired. Immediately. pic.twitter.com/qcVqSBJE5e
— Ⓐ #GrumpyCuntSec Ⓐ (@brazenqueer) August 16, 2016
DeGeneres was forced to make a statement that it was just a joke and was not intended to offend or be considered racist.
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 first rule of dealing with a social justice warrior: Never apologize. If you give an inch, they'll demand you walk back a mile on the lonely road of white privilege.
....yet you found it appropriate to post a meme of you riding a Black dude like Ms. Daisy.
— Angry Black Hoe-Mo (@angryblackhoemo) August 16, 2016
Have a seat. ☕ @TheEllenShow
There was one person who wasn't offended by the tweet. Usain Bolt found it funny and retweeted it.
@iyonah Clearly you and other folks only see racism while Bolt himself RT it! He thought it was funny! pic.twitter.com/2uyaqAtgU5
— Christopher Clay (@MrChrisC84) August 17, 2016