Chet Hanks, the singer, actor, and son of the legendary Tom Hanks, stirred up controversy in the spring of 2021 when he declared it was going to be a “white boy summer.” What started as a perplexing statement quickly turned into a rallying cry for hate groups and white supremacists, as noted in a report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
The phrase “white boy summer” has been hijacked by extremist groups to recruit new members, organize violent protests, and target marginalized communities. It has evolved into a symbol of white masculinity at the expense of women and people of color.
What began as a meme has now infiltrated mainstream political discourse, with prominent figures like Jack Posobiec waving a banner with the words “white boy summer” at a conservative event attended by former President Donald J. Trump.
Despite the backlash, Chet Hanks defended his use of the phrase, stating that it was meant to celebrate diversity and should not be associated with hate or bigotry. However, the meme has taken on a life of its own, attracting far-right groups and spreading across various social media platforms.
From fringes of the internet to mainstream discourse, “white boy summer” has become a symbol of hate and exclusion. It serves as a reminder of how quickly harmful ideas can spread and the impact they can have on society.
