Tom Hanks' son Chet Hanks denounces bigots using his 'white boy summer' phrase to spread racial hate: 'I condemn it'
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Chet Hanks has denounced 'bigots' who have used his 'white boy summer' phrase to promote hate.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's rapper son, 33, took to Instagram on Wednesday to distance himself from people who 'twisted' the meaning of the phrase, which is also the name of his 2021 song, after it was co-opted by white supremacist groups.
'White boy summer was created to be fun, playful, and a celebration of fly white boys who love beautiful queens of every race,' Chet wrote in a text post.
'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.'
Chet, who's often been accused of cultural appropriation for speaking with a Caribbean patois, wrapped up his post writing, 'I hope that we all can spread love to each other and treat each other with kindness and dignity.'
Tom Hanks' rapper son Chet Hanks, 33, has condemned 'bigots' who have used his 'white boy summer' phrase, and 2021 song title, to promote hate
He took to Instagram on Wednesday to distance himself from those who 'twisted' the meaning of the phrase, after it was co-opted by white supremacist groups, writing 'I condemn it'
His followers quickly applauded the post, with one writing, 'real ones know!!! white boy summer is all inclusive.'
'White boy summer is the pinnacle of inclusivity,' another added.
Chet — born Chester Marlon Hanks — went on to write another statement on his Stories about the power of God.
'The power of governments, corporations, the media, and the wealth of men are all NOTHING in the face of the only TRUE power in this world and the world unseen... the Power of GOD, the Most High Creator of Heaven and Earth, and ALL THE GLORY be unto HIM!!'
'Quote me on THAT!!' he added.
His response was seemingly prompted by a New York Times piece which discussed how the tagline has become popular among white supremacists.
Chet — who recently opened up about his severe past drug use — has had to defend the phrase before. While appearing on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan he explained that it was a play on Megan Thee Stallion's 'Hot Girl Summer' and meant to promote interracial relationships.
He also previously clarified that the name of his 'movement' is not racial in nature, and that he's not talking about 'Trump and Nascar type white.'
In May, Chet appeared on Instagram to once again declare that it will be a 'white boy summer.'
Chet wrote in the caption, 'I have consulted with the heavens, felt a westward breeze, and walked outside of a strip club and saw my shadow… this will be a #WBS #iHaveSpoken.'
'White boy summer was created to be fun, playful, and a celebration of fly white boys who love beautiful queens of every race,' he wrote; Seen in a still from his White Boy Summer video
Chet went on to write another statement on his Stories about the power of God
In May, Chet appeared on Instagram to once again declare that it will be a 'white boy summer'
Hanks found himself the butt of jokes in 2021, when he originally coined the phrase and urged followers to 'tag a real vanilla king'
The musician has had to defend the phrase before, explaining that it was a play on Megan Thee Stallion's 'Hot Girl Summer' and meant to promote interracial relationships
Back when he first used the term, Chet was mercilessly mocked online, with one social media user quipping: 'Someone tell Chet Hanks that we're already several thousand years into a white boy summer.'
The phrase raised eyebrows despite his assertion that it is about 'good vibes.'
Hanks also defended his wardrobe staple — a ribbed white tank top, which some colloquially refer to as a 'wifebeater.'
The actor stated in 2021, 'Someone also asked me can we ban wifebeaters. If we're talking about actual people who beat their wives? Yes.
'If we're talking about the tank tops? Absolutely not. I don't know anything more White Boy Summer than a wifebeater.'
He also made clear that 'prejudice' is not 'white boy summer.'
'You know what's not white boy summer? Having any ill will or prejudice toward anybody from a different background, race, walk of life than you, you know?... That's not White Boy Summer, dude. That's the sh*t we gotta elevate and get rid of, straight up... Because the real vibes is having nothing but good vibes toward everybody,' he noted.
The father-of-one previously faced backlash for refusing to apologize for culturally appropriating accents.
While appearing on Showtime talk show ZIWE, he was asked if there were any marginalized communities he wanted to apologize to. Hanks replied: 'Nah.'
Chet had routinely been hit with claims of 'cultural appropriation' for frequently attempting to speak in a fake 'Jamaican' accent.
The father-of-one has routinely been hit with claims of 'cultural appropriation' for frequently attempting to speak in a fake 'Jamaican' accent
Chet (pictured with his parents) is one of the two sons Hollywood legends Tom and Rita have together. His brother is actor Truman Hanks, 28
In 2020, he was yet again slammed for impersonating what seemed to be Jamaican patois - an English-based creole language with West African influences - in a bizarre video rant about Donald Trump following Joe Biden's presidential win.
Chet once again impersonated a Jamaican accent at the Golden Globes in 2020, after a video went viral of him speaking Patois and laughing, as he said he didn't want a 'mawga' girl, meaning 'skinny.'
However, he defended his actions when speaking about cultural appropriation in an Instagram video in February.
He asked: 'Why are we so caught up on this idea of theft and stealing?'
'Why are we so quick to be angry and tense over the blurring of racial communities, instead of just being welcoming towards it?'
Chet is one of the two sons Hollywood legends Tom and Rita have together. His brother is actor Truman Hanks, 28. Tom also shares son Colin, 46, and daughter Elizabeth, 42, with his first wife, Samantha Lewes.
