Megyn Kelly criticized blackface for her "Today" show

"The iconic Diana Ross appeared as an example," wrote Kelly in her apology. "For me, I thought, why would it be controversial that a person disguised as Diana Ross would make herself look like this extraordinary woman as a way to honor and respect her?"

After thinking, Kelly told her colleagues in the letter, "I realize now that this behavior is bad and I'm sorry, the history of blackface in our culture is horrible, the wounds are too deep."

"I have never been a person (politically correct) – but I understand that we have to be more sensitive nowadays. Especially on issues of race and ethnicity that, far from being cured, have been exacerbated in our politics over the last year. "

She continued, "The time has come for more understanding, love, sensitivity and honor, and I want to be part of it. I look forward to continuing this discussion. I am honored to work with you every day. "

Earlier in the day, during a roundtable, Kelly questioned blackface about choosing Halloween costumes.

"Because you have problems if you are a white person who puts a blackface to Halloween, or a black person who uses a blackface for Halloween," she said. "And when I was a kid, it was OK, as long as you dressed like a character."

Kelly then discussed a recent controversy on the blackface in order to develop her position.

"There was a controversy with Luann (de Lesseps) about" The Real Housewives of New York. "She dressed in Diana Ross and she made her skin look darker than she did. Is actually, and people have said that it was racist … you do not know! " she explained. "I thought, who does not like Diana Ross? She wants to look like Diana Ross for a day, and I do not know how it became racist on Halloween."

His comments were rejected by the group at the table "Today" and many people on social media reacted in the same way:

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Actor Patton Oswalt disagreed with Kelly on Twitter, claiming that the blackface was "NOT OK" when they were kids, which she claimed.

"Dear @ megynkelly – you and I are about the same age." Blackface did not agree when we were kids, "he tweeted. Take this from a big-hearted boy who just wanted to show his love for Nipsey Russell at the worst Halloween of my life. "

Humorous comic W. Kamau Bell also called Kelly on Twitter.

@ megynkelly – "I do not understand why Black Face is so offensive? ", he tweeted." Also @ megynkelly – "CHILDREN, NEVER FORGOTTEN, SANTA CLAUS IS WHITE !!!"

"Megyn Kelly is proof that being smart about the book does not stop you from being an ignorant jerk!" about the user Twitter wrote.

"When Megyn Kelly reminded you why she was so popular on Fox News …", wrote another.

"@megynkelly is really here to discuss the" big deal "of blackface …… OPEN A HISTORY BOOK! Why are there no Blacks? in this discussion? " another tweet.

"Megyn Kelly does not understand racism, do not say …", tweeted again.

"Can any one please explain why Megyn Kelly still has a job?" another tweet.

Some also pointed out the lack of diversity of the panel.

"You have an all-white panel to explain why it is offensive that whites wear a black face … Hmmm," tweeted a person.

"This panel rings about white", another tweeted

"A group of four whites is the seventh circle of hell," said another.

More: Megyn Kelly says that she regrets Jane Fonda's clumsy interview: "It did not go well!"

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Contribute: Carly Mallenbaum, Cydney Henderson

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