Chet Hanks, rapper and son of Hollywood icon Tom Hanks, has publicly denounced the hijacking of his coined phrase “White Boy Summer” by white supremacists and far-right hate groups.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Hanks clarified the original intent behind the phrase, which he described as a playful celebration of stylish white men who appreciate women of all races. He vehemently condemned any association of “White Boy Summer” with hate or bigotry, calling such interpretations “deplorable.”
“White boy summer was created to be fun, playful, and a celebration of fly white boys who love beautiful queens of every race,” Hanks wrote. “Anything else that it has been twisted into to support any kind of hate or bigotry against any group of people is deplorable and I condemn it.”
He emphasized a message of spreading love, kindness, and dignity among all individuals.
Hanks’ statement comes on the heels of a report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), which revealed that “White Boy Summer” had been adopted as a slogan by white supremacists to spread propaganda, recruit members, and incite violence against marginalized communities.
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Originally coined in 2021 as a playful twist on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer,” Hanks introduced “White Boy Summer” through social media posts and a rap track of the same name. The accompanying music video notably concluded with Hanks donning a “stop hate” T-shirt, underscoring his initial intent to distance the phrase from any negative connotations.
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Despite his efforts to clarify the phrase’s meaning and audience, “White Boy Summer” encountered significant backlash early on, prompting Hanks to specify that it was not directed at a specific demographic characterized by conservative or racial stereotypes. He urged his followers to embrace the concept without prejudice or animosity towards others based on their background or race.
Nevertheless, GPAHE’s report highlighted a surge in the use of “White Boy Summer” and its abbreviation “WBS” on platforms like Telegram, known for hosting extremist groups, during each subsequent summer since its inception.
Hanks has persistently reaffirmed his use of the phrase despite the controversy, recently proclaiming 2024 as another “White Boy Summer” in a May Instagram post where he humorously referenced consulting with the heavens and observing his shadow outside a strip club.
As the debate over “White Boy Summer” continues to unfold, Hanks remains committed to preserving the original lighthearted spirit of the phrase while disavowing any association with hate groups or extremist ideologies.
