White Boy Summer: From Meme to Slogan for Hate

In the spring of 2021, Chet Hanks, the singer, actor, and son of Tom Hanks, made headlines by proclaiming it was going to be a “white boy summer”. The statement and a subsequent music video stirred confusion and cringing among many. While the original intention behind the phrase was unclear, it has since evolved into a slogan adopted by white supremacists and hate groups, as reported by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

According to the report, thousands of posts featuring the slogan “white boy summer” have surfaced on the Telegram app this year. It has been utilized by far-right organizations to recruit followers, coordinate demonstrations, and incite violence, particularly targeting immigrants and members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community.

For a significant number of current users, “white boy summer” symbolizes an unapologetic celebration of white heterosexual masculinity, often perpetuating misogyny and racism. This meme has transitioned from the periphery of the internet to the mainstream political arena in the United States and globally, noted Wendy Via, one of the founders of the organization.

Jack Posobiec, a podcaster associated with white supremacist groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center, prominently displayed a banner bearing the words “white boy summer” at an event for Turning Point USA in Detroit recently. The conference featured former President Donald J. Trump as the keynote speaker, alongside several congressional members.