Chelsea Handler: 'I'm Not Racist. I Date a Lot of Black People'

The comedian was accused of racism after she sent a controversial tweet.

ByABC News
March 4, 2014, 12:19 PM

March 4, 2014 -- Chelsea Handler is speaking out about being called a racist.

The talk show host irked critics on Sunday night after sending a promotional tweet about her book, "Uganda Be Kidding Me," after "12 Years a Slave" was named the Best Picture at the Oscars.

"Congratulations #12yearsaslave," she wrote. "Go to Africa or buy #ugandabekiddingme http://amzn.to/1de1ka9 #aheadofthecurve #Oscars"

"I'm not a racist," she declared on "Good Morning America" today. "I date a lot of black people. So that would be a difficult thing to explain to them."

Handler, 39, has been linked to rapper 50 Cent in the past.

The E! talk show host also explained that her book is about Africa, and she began writing it when she was on safari.

"I take a lot of my girlfriends and family away on vacations," she said. "I embarrass our country like I do on the mainland and abroad. I was due for another book. So I started taking notes while we were in Africa."