Critics claim Ellen DeGeneres' Gap Kids ad has racist undertones

Photos posted on GapKids' Twitter account on Saturday show children in active poses; one stands in an acrobatic pose while another break dances. Others pursue hobbies like DJing and an interest in astronomy.

But while the ad features children of different races, the one black child in the campaign isn't receiving the same kind of attention that the other children are getting.

One photo spotlights four girls from Le Petit Cirque, an "all humanitarian kid's circus" and dance troupe. The girls range from ages 8 to 12.

Twitter users commented on the photo saying the young black girl is portrayed as subservient and is being used as an "arm rest" for an older white girl in the campaign.

"Why is the little black girl being used as an arm rest?" one social media user challenged Gap Kids. "I'm sure there were better photos taken. You should fix it."

Other critics agreed and even called the girl the "token" child of color:

But some people pointed out a Gap Kids ad from 2015 that didn't spark the same controversy in which a black child rested her arm on a white child's head.

A video posted on Gap Kids Twitter page shows many other photos that were taken of the children.

Cox Media Group