Last night, Justin Timberlake took to Twitter to share that he was #inspired by Jesse Williams' poignant speech on at the BET Awards on police brutality, cultural appropriation and combating the oppression towards the black community. Timberlake's admiration for the newest recipient of the BET Humanitarian Award quickly became controversial after he responded to a tweet that said, “So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards.”
A rep for Justin Timberlake did not immediately return a request for comment.
@iJesseWilliams tho...#Inspired #BET2016
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
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
Timberlake replied, "Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye."
His words immediately threw Twitter in uproar as people weren't pleased with the tone of his reply that many felt was dismissive of the specific focus on black lives and black culture in Williams' speech. As critiques continued to roll in, Timberlake apologized for his statement.
@jtimberlake you don't get it & you can't. But try to see from a lens that's not on defense. We are not the same until we are treated =.
— Danielle (@theislandiva) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake @iJesseWilliams Such a privileged white misinterpretation. You're exactly who he was talking about. Huge part of the problem.
— Wife School Dropout (@aliciafiasco_) 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
