(AllHipHop News) Actor/activist Jesse Williams received a standing ovation at this year’s BET Awards after the Grey’s Anatomy star gave an impassioned speech about racism, police brutality, and Black Lives Matter. Williams was at the televised event in Los Angeles to accept the Humanitarian Award.
The adulation for Williams’ words expanded to the online space as well. However, when Justin Timberlake used his Twitter account to recognize the occasion, the former NSYNC singer was hit with serious backlash on the social media platform.
A particular tweet from Huffington Post writer Ernest Owens led to a perceived dismissive response from Timberlake which caused even more negative reactions directed at the Pop star.
“So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too,” wrote Owens, referring to the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” Super Bowl XXXVIII performance featuring Timberlake and Janet Jackson.
JT responded, “Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye.”
Timberlake later added that he felt “misunderstood,” and the 8-time BET Award nominee apologized to anyone that felt he was “out of turn.”
Watch/read Jesse Williams’ acceptance speech and check out Justin Timberlake’s tweets below.
@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
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
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
Oh definitely. Interesting how he gave Twitter a wholesale General Dollar apology, but I guess his pride is hurt. https://t.co/tvsbCROKbC
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) June 27, 2016
Cry me a river. https://t.co/PZwRgFpWmR
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) June 27, 2016