Justin Timberlake was accused of appropriating black culture after he sent out a tweet during the BET Awards Sunday night.
(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for amfAR)
The 35-year-old singer faced heavy criticism after he complimented Jesse Williams — an actor on the popular series “Grey’s Anatomy” — on his lengthy acceptance speech about racism.
WATCH:
@iJesseWilliams tho…#Inspired #BET2016
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
Ernest Owens, one of Timberlake’s followers, was quick to criticize Timberlake for what he said.
“So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture?” Owens tweeted. “And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards.”
So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards https://t.co/0FwBOQR24D
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) June 27, 2016
“Oh, you sweet soul,” Timberlake responded. “The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye.”
Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
Timberlake later apologized.
“I feel misunderstood,” he tweeted. “I responded to a specific tweet that wasn’t meant to be a general response. I shouldn’t have responded anyway.”
I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn’t meant to be a general response. I shouldn’t have responded anyway…
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
I forget this forum sometimes… I was truly inspired by @iJesseWilliams speech because I really do feel that we are all one… A human race
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US.
–JT
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016