Racist video
Twitter

A video showing young girls clapping and singing along a racist rhyme has emerged across social media online, causing an outcry.

In the video, three young girls are seen clapping and singing along the tune of the popular nursery rhyme 'if you're happy and you know it,' however the lyrics to the rhyme have been given the racist tone, "if you all hate the p***s clap your hands."

Aside from this potentially breaching the law by inciting racial hatred, what is particularly upsetting about this film is the abuse of young minds – children are not born racist – they are taught. Here we see this in action. This is a form of child exploitation.
- Alex Raikes, Interim Director, Charity Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI)

A toddler can be seen walking around the room while an adult's legs can also be seen in the background suggesting the hate chant was supervised.

The girls are alleged to be under the age of seven and reports suggest that from their accents, the girls appear to be from the Greater Manchester area.

The video was circulated across the instant messenger, Whatsapp, before it went viral across several social media outlets.

Social media users have since expressed shock and sadness.

Meanwhile, the interim director of Charity Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI), Alex Raikes, said in a comment, reported The Independent: "Social media can be a tool that tackles inequalities and promotes human rights, tolerance and respect or as in this case can foster hatred and fuel divide.

"Aside from this potentially breaching the law by inciting racial hatred, what is particularly upsetting about this film is the abuse of young minds – children are not born racist – they are taught. Here we see this in action. This is a form of child exploitation."

Raikes further recalled the events of the past week when gunmen attacked the Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris and several people were taken hostage at a Jewish supermarket in Vincennes, and said: "In a week where we have seen events that show both the value we all place on freedom of speech, and at the same time how people can be indoctrinated and manipulated to perpetrate atrocities.

"Here we may believe this is simply freedom of expression albeit unpalatable to many – but actually this is nothing short evidence of indoctrination on film."