A photo that Big E posted on Twitter got some negative reaction with racism involved following the photo – which includes The New Day, Rich Swann, and Sasha Banks all posing with their titles – was tagged with the hashtag #BlackExcellence.

“It does not come from a place of malice, spite, or gloating. It comes from a place of joy and a place of happiness,” fellow New Day member Kofi Kingston wrote in a reply to the criticism. Kofi said that they all have a very strong sense of pride in being a group of black people simultaneously holding championships in WWE.

“Historically in our nation, there was period in time where this would not have happened, followed by a long period of time where it became possible, but had not actually materialized. Now, we are in the time in which the possibility has become a reality,” he added.

Kofi wrote that this matters because while some find it hard to accomplish things because of the skin of their color, nothing is impossible and you can always reach your goals. “We are a shining example who want to be a source of motivation for others to believe in themselves and do the same,” Kingston said.

Regarding the hashtag used, the tag team title holder said that black excellence is not meant to me supremacy or divisive. “For even if you do not fall into the specific category, you can still take enjoyment in our pride, because in the biggest picture, in a society that often focuses on the negative aspects of race relations, what has transpired with the 5 of us speaks positively to the progress we’ve made as a nation,” he concluded.