I knew when I read in Salon about the poor dad whose six-year old son faced naked racism on the internet game Fortnite I would have to seek contemporary sources to evaluate the veracity of the claim. A quick video call with the grandkids solved the mystery.

Zander, 9, and his sister Rowan, 7, were happy to video call with me.

“Hello, dearest Grandmother!” Rowan chimed in first, “How nice of you to call. Brother and I would be more than happy to help you parse this story of white supremacy at work.”

Both grandkids were rapt as I read them the 1,200 word story of six-year-old Waylon and how an innocent game of Fortnite had devolved into a dire racist landscape that seemed to affect his father more than him.

And, as I learned on a recent Friday evening over dinner with my six-year-old son Waylon, there’s even racism on Fortnite. Yes, there are actual little kids who are racist on Fortnite. (snip)

“Daddy, why don’t white people like Black people?” Waylon blurted … (snip)

“No really Daddy, ’cause Eden told me that. He’s my friend on Fortnite. Bro is not an opp either, he really lit, he has all the Travis Scott skins,”

I saw Zander and Rowan quickly glance at each other and Ro’s eyebrow rose ever so slightly.

“What?” I asked, “Has this ever happened to you or your friends?”

Zander waved his hand, “Not yet, dearest grandmother. Please continue. Sister and I need more information about poor Waylon and his friend.”

“Well, what made Eden say that to you?”

“Because. Eden is … um, never mind. I don’t think I can say that.”

“No, go ‘head,” I calmly insisted.

“Well, OK, Daddy. Eden said he’s white and that his daddy taught him that white people don’t like Black people. And one more thing, Daddy, did you know Donald Trump was the president? Eden told me that also,” Waylon went on and on.

I stopped reading as Ro disappeared from my screen. Peals of bright laughter filled the the air. Z-man himself could barely contain a grin, lifting his hand to his face. I love my grandkids for their honesty and humor.

“Wait wait,” Z implored, “I have to get this up on my screen. Salon, you said?”

I nodded as I saw Ro finally back on my screen, wiping her eyes, “Oh, grandmother. I feel sorry for poor Waylon.”

Before I could ask why, Z broke in, “Oh, dear me. Yes, dear sister, we should feel very sorry for poor Waylon. I mean, what six-year-old speaks like that? Not to mention this Eden fellow. I doubt he even exists, certainly he and his racist, Trump-loving father is a caricature.”

I told him I did have my doubts since author Wallace Lane went on and on using every Critical Race Theory buzzword he could drag onto the page …

“Look closer,” Ro added softly. “Further down is the reveal.”

Racial trauma is the uphill journey I’m climbing as a Black father, too. I know that by working through my own adversity I can maybe be of assistance to other Black fathers who are raising and loving their children while fighting a racist and corrupt child support and child custody system whose purpose is to emasculate the Black male from his role to properly provide and protect his children, but also his community, culture and identity. Racial trauma can also taint Black love. I know this all too well because I’m currently dealing with its consequences. So for me, my quality bonding time with my son — every other weekend until a racist court system grants my request for more — is sacred, because I know I’m not only up against racism but the trauma that accompanies it.

Ah! Yes. The grandkids caught on before I did. Waylon’s dad has custody issues and, of course, it is not about him, but about how melanin is to blame. Poor Waylon, indeed.

“What have you always told us, about people eager to share stories of racist incidents?” Z-man looks over at his sister and she pipes up, “It’s a hoax until proven otherwise!”

“By the way, dearest grandmother,” Ro looks sternly at me, “We rarely read Salon anymore and you shouldn’t either. I mean, come on, these people actually pay Amanda Marcotte to write for them!”

God bless our grade-school children like my grandkids. Is there any other source with as much insight and wisdom?

UPDATE: Welcome Instapundit readers!

featured image copyright Darleen Click