“I feel misunderstood."
Justin Timberlake on Monday apologized to Twitter users who were apparently angered by the superstar saying “we are the same” after he expressed admiration forJesse Williams’ powerful BET Awards speech.
The “Can’t Stop The Feeling” singer fielded a flurry of negative tweets after he wrote that he was “inspired” by Williams’ message and responded to a specific tweet that accused him of “appropriating” black culture as a white musician.
Read the Full Transcript of Jesse Williams’ Powerful Speech on Race at the BET Awards
“Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye,” Timberlake wrote back.
Several people mocked Timberlake’s language for being racially insensitive. Timberlake later clarified to say he meant “we are all one” as a “human race.”
Watch Jesse Williams’ Powerful BET Awards Speech About Racism
"the more you realize we are the same" - Justin Timberlake.
— [:•-•:] (@DubOnDaBeatz) June 27, 2016
So you get judged by the color of your skin too? pic.twitter.com/2YHwKbQFI0
"We are the same..." Justin Timberlake pic.twitter.com/NKQeOIFRK3
— R'asclat Al Ghul (@Felonious_munk) June 27, 2016
Why are black people telling Justin Timberlake he stealing culture? Y'all didn't know he was black???
— Paris Heelton (@ImTheBombDotCom) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake how have you been in the industry for decades and have not spoke ONCE about black rights? But you consider yourself one of us?
— shelly from da block (@OhItsShell_) June 27, 2016
“I feel misunderstood,” he wrote. “I responded to a specific tweet that wasn’t meant to be a general response. I shouldn’t have responded anyway…”
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“I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US,” he added.
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
