Stephen Colbert Addresses #CancelColbert Controversy: "I'm Not a Racist"

Stephen Colbert addressed the recent "#CancelColbert" Twitter controversy on The Colbert Report Monday, assuring viewers that he's not a racist, in spite of an ill-advised tweet that was sent out last week.

"Who would have thought a means of communication limited to 140 characters would ever create misunderstandings?" Colbert pondered Monday. "I just want to say that I'm not a racist. I don't even see race. Not even my own. People tell me I'm white and I believe them, because I just devoted six minutes to explaining how I'm not a racist!"

Added Colbert: "The interwebs tried to swallow me whole. But I am proud to say that I got lodged in its throat and it hacked me back up like a hastily chewed chicken wing!"

Colbert Report draws accusations of racism from Twitter users

The dustup began when, on Wednesday's show, Colbert lampooned a Native American charity foundation headed by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder for using the term "Redskins" in its name. Subsequently, The Colbert Report's Twitter account (run by Comedy Central) sent out a now-deleted tweet that read: "I am willing to show #Asian community I care by introducing the Ching-Chong Ding-Dong Foundation for Sensitivity to Orientals or Whatever" — a quote from Colbert's commentary about the foundation.

Because the Tweet was sent out without context, some users didn't realize the quote was sarcastic and called for a boycott of Colbert. The hashtag #CancelColbert quickly started trending.

"Folks, I'm not gonna lie, we almost lost me," Colbert said on Monday's show. "I'm never going to take me for granted ever again."

Colbert has also deleted the @ColbertReport Twitter account.

Watch Monday's segment below:

Colbert hits back by poppadiddypuff