Yes, Roommates, you read that correctly. Last night, during Jesse Williams’ speech at the BET Awards, pop singer Justin Timberlake, tweeted, “@iJesseWilliams tho… #Inspired” in support of the activist’s words challenging social injustices and cultural appropriation.
Twitter user @MrErnestOwen responded with, “So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too,” to which JT replied, “Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye.”
The reason why the Twitterverse didn’t appreciate his response is because to many, he falls under the category of “Blue Eyed Soul” along with other artists such as Adele, Robin Thicke and Sam Smith. These singers are capable of putting as much soul into their music as Black artists, but does that mean they are appropriating our culture? Does soul music only belong to Black artists?
Whether or not stirring that pot was Timberlake’s M.O., he regretted even responding to the tweet in the first place and sent out an apology! I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn,” he tweeted. “I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US. –JT.”
What are your thoughts, Roommates?
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Source: http://www.people.com/article/justin-timberlake-twitter-jesse-williams-bet-awards
