A 12-year-old boy identified as Max, a resident of Iowa, United States, was the victim of racist bullying during a children’s soccer game, after another player insulted him with xenophobic comments related to his Asian origin and the country’s immigration policy. The incident went viral on social networks after being reported by his mother, generating outrage and a debate about discrimination and the impact of hate speech on minors.
Max, who was born in the United States and has Asian features due to his mother’s Thai background, tearfully recounted that the opposing goalkeeper told him he was an “illegal immigrant” and that President Donald Trump was “going to catch him and send him back,” even though he is American by birth.
Max’s mother spread the word and authorities are investigating
Max’s mother, Mtee Te, shared a video on social media where her son appears visibly upset after the match. In the clip, Max expresses his sadness at the insults he received, which quickly generated reactions of support online and criticism of the behavior of the other player and the normalization of this type of discourse among minors.
According to reports, the relevant authorities are already aware of the incident and are investigating what happened to determine whether any disciplinary action will be taken within the context of school or community sport.
Max feels affected by comments related to political issues
The verbal attack occurred in a context where rhetoric about immigration – including that promoted by political leaders such as President Trump – has been the subject of national debate. Comments about “illegal immigrants” and the threat of deportation have been part of political discourse in the United States, which some experts say may even influence the way children repeat such language learned at home or heard in the media.
The boy’s mother emphasized that her intention in posting the video was not to provoke controversy, but to encourage reflection on how words can deeply affect children, especially when prejudice, politics and sport are mixed. “The division and hatred we see in our country is clearly reaching our children, and that’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Reactions on social media and the call for greater empathy
Max’s case provoked reactions of outrage and support on social media, with thousands of users condemning the episode and underlining the need to educate in tolerance and respect from an early age. Many pointed out that expressions of hatred should not be accepted or normalized, especially when they are directed at those who have no control over their identity or family situation.
The incident also renewed the debate about the impact of political discourse on society and how biased messages can seep even into spaces that should be safe and formative for children, such as youth sports.
Read the full article here
