The Black Entertainment Television awards were on last night, which recognise African Americans excelling in their fields such as acting, music, sports and other areas of entertainment.
Stars such as Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae and Jennifer Hudson were in attendance, however, it is the speech by Grey’s Anatomy actor Jesse Williams that has got everyone talking.
The 34-year-old actor, producer and activist was given the Humanitarian Award for his activism within the Black Lives Matter movement.
The CEO of the BET awards Debra Lee presented him with the award for his outstanding humanitarian work, following the release of his documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement and his long history of campaigning for the civil rights of African-American people.
Many commended Williams for the speech but when JT jumped on the bandwagon, he was promptly shut down by fans.
The singer shared this Tweet.
@iJesseWilliams tho…#Inspired #BET2016
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
Fans were quick to accuse JT of missing the point of the speech.
@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 inspired to do what? Continue to emulate black culture through your music while ignoring issues affecting black people?
— Chrystal (@chrystallll) June 27, 2016
You RAN like a scared puppy, @jtimberlake, when the world turned on @JanetJackson. YOU FAILED TO PROTECT HER. You saved yourself. Silence!
— LCH (@ProfessLCH) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake when you figure out that you specifically are the problem he was talking about, let us know. hashtag it.
— Cody Kemmer (@codykemmer) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake @iJesseWilliams As much as I love you… Jesse was talking about you.
— Kristie (@kristiebass) June 27, 2016
Yeah… I hope so.. RT @jtimberlake @iJesseWilliams tho…#Inspired #BET2016 pic.twitter.com/xaoYABU9IW
— Nawl Goodman (@ChrisTheFlyest) June 27, 2016
Things escalated when Justin responded to one Tweet.
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
Which caused even more outrage.
@jtimberlake as a fan: all you have to do is listen. Don’t get defensive. Just listen. Hear what folks are saying.
— Anil Dash (@anildash) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake Your whole career has been biting off of black music. You wouldn’t even be as popular as you are if you were black..
— shelly from da block (@OhItsShell_) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake ur privilege got u here. Respect the people who will bring it to your attention instead of trying to embarrass them on Twitter
— shelly from da block (@OhItsShell_) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake go ahead be inspired, but you have a platform to speak up on issues that affect the cultures you’re appropriating.
— lizzy avila-morales (@_LIZZYPANTZ) June 27, 2016
The backlash caused the singer to apologise claiming that he was misunderstood.
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
