[kimmom]

I was at my SD's soccer game last night when I heard a little boy yell "White Power" to another little boy! These kids are 8/9 yrs old, do they know what white power usually means? SD isn't white and hasn't been bothered by these children so they aren't discriminating against others yet. Eventually both of the boys were giggling and jumping up and down yelling white power. The one who started yelling was standing near his aunt, and she didn't correct him! Am I being to sensitive, or was I rightfully disgusted at the behavior of these kids? Should I have said something to them or their coach?

[jennmomtothree]

Their jerseys aren't white, are they? Or could they have been referring to something else? They're old enough to understand differences in skin color, so it certainly is possible that they were referring to that.

But, as I just posted on another thread, sometimes kids can surprise you by referring to something else (my son said I was brown, like him and his siblings - I'm very light-skinned - turns out he was talking about eye color).

If there is no doubt that they were indeed referring to skin color, then yes, I would have been offended, and I probably would want to say something, at least to the coach.

[Wisdom]

If they were referring to race, and it's very possible, they didn't come up with it themselves so it's the parents or other adults that have taught them this. With the stir of the Imus remarks and his being fired it's stirred up a lot of racial sensitivities lately and many do not agree with his being fired. So it wouldn't surprise me if the kids heard it from a parent (or some adult) and that's where the disgust should lie. Just my humble opinion.

[shortlittlemama]

If the little boys were actually on a team, I would have no problem addressing the comment with their coach. They may have free speech, but that also falls under the area of unsportsmanlike conduct if they meant it in regards to race. I have heard it used "humorously" on a number of television programs- they may even be repeating something that was supposed to be funny from TV and haven't a clue what it really means. Whatever the case, how sad that their own family wasn't at least embarrassed.

[AnneR]

I had a question from my 7 year adoptive daughter only a few months after she was placed with us (at the age of 6) She asked "mommy is it true white people and brown people can't get married". I about ran off the road. Turns out someone at her former school had said that, and it's sad because you know they got it from their parents. I reassured it no it was not true, and fortunately, while we live in a small town, there are many mixed marriages and once she saw that she settled right in and has become more comfortable with her skin color. (her half brother, and her adoptive parents-us are white) She has described herself as brown, and sometimes "tan". (She's half AA and half others)

[traceyk]

I was questioning the jersey color too. I am not familiar with the power rangers, but is it something they say? I notice they have different color outfits. I would have leaned over and asked them what they meant by white power in a pleasant way.

[shycar]

Tracey--I think you might be right about the power ranger saying that (nephews watch them all the time sometimes my son will watch when he is over). My son is always yelling Green power, his fav. color. My son always tells me he is a hero and says he has tons of powers. When you ask, its always different color powers, "I have red powers, green powers and white powers."

[kimmom]

Their team shirts are purple but the Y (for YMCA) is white. I didn't think about the power rangers that could make sense if they were looking at the white Y's.

[loveajax]

i would have been offended and probably (i have a big mouth) would have said something (it seems you have ruled out the "innocent" explanation). this kind of stuff makes me furious.

[gabesmom04]

my first thought was the power rangers. they may also be refering to some video game characters. usually kids that play sports aren't racially motivated. they are to busy trying to make the play and don't have time for such nonsense. coaches would not tolerate this behavior i would hope. you might ask the coach if it is a team cheer?
Michelle

[Marie8888]

I would like to think it is because of Power Rangers, and maybe it is. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if it wasn't something they picked up at home. My DH works with college students and some of the racial hatred that comes out of 18 year olds (only 9 to 10 years older than the kids we are talking about) can be shocking. But then again many kids who are 8 or 9 pick up stuff off TV and don't realise what they are saying. And it could just be that they are talking about Power Rangers. Though you think that even if they were talking about Power Rangers the aunt would be embarced by them yelling that in public and try to correct them.