Justin Timberlake Attacked for ‘Cultural Appropriation’ After Praising Black Actor
Pop star Justin Timberlake received flack on Twitter after he tweeted his support for actor Jesse Williams‘ stirring speech on racism at the BET Awards.
@iJesseWilliams tho…#Inspired #BET2016
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
Timberlake was then barraged with comments accusing him of “cultural appropriation” and “gentrification” and blaming him for the Janet Jackson Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction.
@jtimberlake @iJesseWilliams Did you like the part when Jesse talked about white people stealing from us? That should resonate with you.
— sockruhtese (@sockruhtese) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake he was talking about ppl like u though. Not Protecting black women. Gentrification of our art.
— MDW (@dcjanfan) June 27, 2016
Yeah, like how you threw Janet under the bus.
Left her hanging, talking all the backlash from Nipple Gate.— Tv Geek (@FelNez63) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake inspired to do what? Continue to emulate black culture through your music while ignoring issues affecting black people?
— Chrystal (@chrystallll) June 27, 2016
Timberlake eventually hit back at his critics.
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
But that earned him even more criticism, forcing him to apologize.
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
[Image via screengrab]
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