Justin Timberlake causes uproar with Jesse Williams tweet

Justin Timberlake has angered Twitter users after commenting on Jesse Williams' powerful speech at the BET Awards.

The "Can't Stop This Feeling" singer landed himself in hot water after he wrote, "@iJesseWilliams tho...#Inspired #BET2016."

That simple tweet set off a firestorm, with Twitter users accusing the singer of appropriating black culture and ruining Janet Jackson's career.

One user received thousands of likes and retweets after he responded to Timberlake, "So does this mean you're going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards."

But Timberlake only inspired more outrage when he responded on Twitter, saying, "Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye."

As angry Twitter users, including prominent activist and writer Roxane Gay, responded to Timberlake on Twitter, the pop star backpedaled and apologized, saying: "I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US."

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• Racism