Ben Carson says Obama was 'raised white' sparking Twitter outrageRepublican presidential candidate prompts outrage by stating that the way the US president was brought up was 'very different from the way most black people in this country arebrought up'

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson's comments that President Barack Obama was "raised white" prompted backlash on social media on Tuesday, withmany users criticising the neurosurgeon for stereotyping the experience of African-Americans.Carson, who is black and grew up poor in Detroit in the 1960s, said of Obama in a podcast posted on Politico's website, "He was, you know, raised white."He added, "I mean, like most Americans, I was proud that we broke the colour barrier when he was elected, but he didn't grow up like I grew up. Many of his formative years were spent in Indonesia. So, for him to, you know, claim that, you know, he identifies with the experience of black Americans, I think, is a bit of a stretch."Several Twitter users expressed anger over the remarks.Keith Simmons (@Foreignstorian) said"You cannot distil the black experience intosomething so narrow. Being 'poor' or 'rich' does not grant authenticity."cnn headlines right now:trump: id like to punch protester in the faceben carson: obama was raised whitesea levels rising at fastest rate— fluffy (@curiousgawker)February 23, 2016Warren Holstein (@WarrenHolstein) said,"Ben Carson says Obama was "raised white" and doesn't understand black Americans. That fails to explain why no one understands Ben Carson."Shaun King (@ShaunKing), civil rights activist and New York Daily News writer, said, "Please @RealBenCarson. Step away from ALL microphones ... forever. Saying Obama "grew up white" is foolishness."Kasich: Women came out of their kitchensCarson: Obama was raised whiteTrump: Rubio is ineligibleCruz: Round up the illegals#Rubio2016— Nick Jacob (@nicktjacob)February 23, 2016The comments also prompted some to contemplate Obama's upbringing.Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) said: "I've often wondered why Obama is regarded asblack, not mixed race, despite a white mother and a white upbringing."There's no reason for any Republican candidate to drop out. For instance, Ben Carson doesn't even know he's still running.— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP)February 23, 2016Carson did not back away from his comments in an interview with CNN on Tuesday afternoon."Anybody who is sensible knows that the way that he was brought up is very different from the way most black people in this country are brought up," he said."I don't think anyone would deny that someone who was raised in Hawaii by his white grandparents and then spent formative years in Indonesia with his whitemother does not have the typical black experience."