TMZ Live

Mike Epps just thought it would be funny when he posted a photo of a black man whipping white men slaves -- and says the whole mess started as a joke with his nephews.

Mike came on TMZ Live to discuss the controversy over the image, telling us ... he thought the photo was absurd and funny -- but he understands why some people were angry. Ultimately, he says that's why he deleted it.

Mike has a new AOL series -- "That's Racist" -- debuting on Monday ... where he'll be interviewing people around the country about stereotypes, but insists the pic was NOT intended to be a promotion.

As for where the controversial pic even came from -- you gotta hear his explanation. Sorry kids ... Uncle Mike just backed up the bus.

Kierra Yarbrough did her 6-year-old son a huge favor by posting a video of him bawling his eyes out over the Packers loss -- instead of embarrassing him ... she helped him get a new bicycle!

The adorable video shows little Xavier crying a river after Green Bay's devastating defeat to the Seattle Seahawks -- and when he spotted a Seattle player riding around the field on a bicycle ... he really lost it.

Kierra was on "TMZ Live" Tuesday ... explaining why she put her son's tears on front street -- possibly opening him up to schoolyard taunting -- and it involves none other than Aaron Rodgers.

But the video's already worked a different kind of miracle -- Kierra says a local Seattle coffee shop saw the video and reached out to offer Xavier a bike of his own.

Not as cool as a trip to the Super Bowl, but it will do.