Justin Timberlake causes uproar with Jesse Williams tweet
Justin Timberlake has angered Twitter users after commenting on Jesse Williams' powerful speech at the BET Awards.
The "Can't Stop This Feeling" singer landed himself in hot water after he wrote, "@iJesseWilliams tho...#Inspired #BET2016."
@iJesseWilliams tho...#Inspired #BET2016
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
That simple tweet set off a firestorm, with Twitter users accusing the singer of appropriating black culture and ruining Janet Jackson's career.
One user received thousands of likes and retweets after he responded to Timberlake, "So does this mean you're going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards."
But Timberlake only inspired more outrage when he responded on Twitter, saying, "Oh, you sweet soul. 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
Bye. https://t.co/FeTmGLOKVc
As angry Twitter users, including prominent activist and writer Roxane Gay, responded to Timberlake on Twitter, the pop star backpedaled and apologized, saying: "I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US."
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.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
--JT