Japan Into the Woods Shizuo Kambayashi Shizuo Kambayashi

MERYL STREEP is picking up a lot of flack on Twitter for a t-shirt she wore on the cover of Time Out London.

This t-shirt, to be precise.

I'm so honored to have shot #merylstreep gracing the cover of this weeks #timeoutlondon. Out on stands today. #suffragette maryrozzi maryrozzi

As you can see, it reads, “I’d rather be a rebel than a slave,” a quote from British suffragette activist Emmeline Pankhurst, whom Streep portrays in the forthcoming film Suffragette.

Carey Mulligan also wore one.

#careymulligan cover star of this weeks @timeoutlondon. #suffragette maryrozzi maryrozzi

The slogan has not sat well with many people, however, with many critical of the actress’ decision to wear a shirt with the word “slave” printed on it.

Who thought this "I'd rather be a Rebel than a Slave" shirt was a good idea? Whooooo?!?!?! Meryl Streep & her team are clowns for that.
— Papi Dinero (@Kartelnometry) October 5, 2015

C H R ! S / Twitter

I respect Meryl Streep, but she is a privileged White woman wearing a t-shirt with the word "slave." Stop with the shenanigans y'all.
— Rebecca Theodore-Vachon 🇭🇹 🇩🇴 🇺🇸 (@FilmFatale_NYC) October 5, 2015

ReBecca Theodore / Twitter

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

While others have been quick to point out that the suffragette movement wasn’t particularly welcoming to women of colour, making the “slave” reference all the more troubling.

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Others, however, have defended the shirt, saying that the quote is in context.

AA's don't have a monopoly on the word slave. There were slaves before & still today. Meryl Streep's shirt is in context #StopBeingOffended
— Shashana 🇺🇸 (@Shashana80sKid) October 5, 2015

Shashana / Twitter

The whole kerfuffle comes just days after Streep refused to describe herself as a feminist in an interview. Speaking to Time Out London, Streep declined to use the f-word and instead called herself a “humanist”.

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

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Neither Streep nor Time Out London have commented on the t-shirt controversy.

By Amy O’Connor. Originally posted on DailyEdge.ie.

Hozier will not be suing this Canadian artist over plagiarism claims >

Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry spectacularly shot down a marriage proposal from a guy in the crowd >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More