Hollywood A-lister Meryl Streep has found herself on the receiving end of serious backlash this week because of a t-shirt she was wearing.

Not exactly a fashion disaster, it was the slogan written on the t-shirt which has proved to be incredibly problematic.

The actress—along with her other female co-stars, including Carey Mulligan— appeared in a photo shoot for Time Out London, wearing a white shirt with the slogan, "I'd rather be a rebel than a slave."

Many on Twitter thought it was a poor decision to have the stars of Suffragette photographed wearing this T-shirt. (Photo: Twitter)

The line comes from a speech made by the women’s rights activist Emmeline Pankhurst, whom Meryl portrays in the film Suffragettes. The full passage reads:

 "I know that women, once convinced that they are doing what is right, that their rebellion is just, will go on, no matter what the difficulties, no matter what the dangers, so long as there is a woman alive to hold up the flag of rebellion. I would rather be a rebel than a slave."

 

Many social media users however took issue with the line printed on the t-shirts worn by the actresses.

Taking to Twitter, they pointed out the slogan implied racial insensitivity and slammed the actress online for wearing something that would have such connotations.

 

Such was the backlash that the magazine had to release a statement to address the issue:

"It has been read by at least half a million people in the U.K. and we have received no complaints," the publication said.

They added that it was people who saw the quote and images “out of context” who were mistaken.

This is the second time in recent weeks that Meryl has been facing some heat from the public.

In the same interview she was asked “are you a feminist?”

Her response disappointed many in Hollywood who are arguing for equal pay for female actors:

I am a humanist, I am for nice, easy balance.”