A moment of Sunday’s televised match went viral. A group of teammates stuffed cotton in a Black teammate’s afro. Their hands seemed to encroach on his hair and personal space – all the while, he sat indifferently. However, according to a statement by Little League officials, the players “have no ill intentions” and they have spoken to the child’s parents and coach to confirm.
Our group went to Williamsport! They are ready to fight! Let’s go Davenport Southeast! We are the Iowa team! pic.twitter.com/wPgny2oeVv
– Iowa District 2 Little League (@iowadistrict2) August 14, 2022
Every TMZ, The scene unfolds during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Four teammates from a Davenport, Iowa team, all appear white, tearing cotton from the inside of the gift toy. They then stuffed the balls into their teammate’s hair, covering his entire crown. Meanwhile, the child sat still, showing no expression except to look down and around a few times. One of the kids even made a cotton pattern in his teammates’ hair. Sports commentators seemed to ignore the scene with comments like, “when in Rome.”
Little League’s official statement about the broadcast is below: https://t.co/ljgDuh2QaL pic.twitter.com/3LlruOuQRD
– philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 22, 2022
Little League released a statement denying ill intentions
But Little League says the players mean nothing, and the child’s mother agrees with their assessment. Here’s what their statement says:
“After talking with the team, as well as reviewing the photos, many players from the Midwest team participated in this game while enjoying the game. As only one player appeared on the broadcast, Little League International understands that actions shown may be perceived as racially insensitive. We spoke to the player’s mother and the coaches, who assured us that there was no malice behind the action shown in the broadcast,” the federation said.
Team To Take The Field Retest On Tuesday; Social media outraged by video
Team Davenport plans to recapture the field on Tuesday. But the video is causing a stir on social media, with some demanding the players face consequences for playing cotton in their Black teammate’s hair.
This seems like a violation of safe sport to me and no, commentator, these are not little sports people. To be @LittleLeague Will stand for this? If Little League is a member of Safe Sport, this should be reported. Look at this kid’s face. https://t.co/s7j6YZ5jFC
– Debbie Anderson (@gym_deb) August 23, 2022
#littleleagueworldseries no team but why @LittleLeague It was disgusting to feel appropriate to bully that Negro boy by allowing his white teammates to wear cotton in his hair! Look at that kid’s face! Sports should be to teach teamwork not an insult!
– BestIsYetToCome (@HMR812) August 23, 2022
@LittleLeague You guys better do something about this cause we all know otherwise you will ban the kid and some damn stuff https://t.co/ZMypivBVqR
– lst King (@ ThaKing922) August 23, 2022
Does the World Championships for Minors really think it’s cute to broadcast a bunch of white boys laughing and stuffing a black boy’s hair so funny? This country has not developed much in over 50 years
– (@ohthatashleyy) August 23, 2022
Who is at fault? White boys stick cotton balls on his head? Or Black Son sitting there letting them do it to him? I’m calling this a parenting problem! My Black son knows he better NEVER allow this to happen! Pride and self-respect is everything! https://t.co/u1gW051iFS
– Aletha (@ CampbellAJ70) August 23, 2022
When cotton is put in the hair of black boys to make fun of white boys…. It’s definitely about race. It’s not just good old fun. Consent is a two-way street. Even if he’s putting it on, his own hair doesn’t give them the right to escalate it. The boy did not smile.
– Voice of reason (@Solar_Conscious) August 23, 2022
