Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees facts for kids

"Chinese, Japanese, Dirty Knees" is a playground chant that has been used in many English-speaking countries. It is considered racist because it was used to make fun of children who were of Asian background. This chant is a form of bullying and promotes harmful stereotypes.

What is "Chinese, Japanese, Dirty Knees"?

This chant is a short rhyme that children used to say, often while playing. One common version of the chant goes: "Chinese, Japanese, Dirty Knees, Look at these." It was sometimes sung as part of jump-rope games or other playground activities.

In 2005, a book called Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century mentioned this chant. It was listed among many well-known rhymes that kids used to say.

Why is it Harmful?

The chant is harmful because it targets people based on their race or background. It makes fun of Asian people and connects them with negative ideas, like being "dirty." This is a stereotype, which is an unfair and untrue idea about a whole group of people.

How it Affects People

Many Asian Americans have shared stories about being bullied with this chant when they were young. Children who sang it would sometimes pull their eyes into a slanted shape. This was done to mock or make fun of Asian features.

Gregory B. Lee, a writer, noted that many Chinese immigrant children have heard this chant over the last 100 years. He explained that the word "dirty" in the chant was not accidental. It was linked to a harmful stereotype that suggested people of Asian descent were unclean. This kind of language and action can make people feel sad, angry, and unwelcome.

A Recent Example: The "Monster Hunter" Film

In 2020, a movie called Monster Hunter caused a big problem in China. People on Chinese social media were upset because they thought the film made a joke about this chant.

In one scene, a character played by MC Jin jokingly asks, "Look at my knees!" When asked, "What kind of knees are these?", he replies, "Chi-knees!" Many people saw this as a clear reference to the "Chinese, Japanese, Dirty Knees" chant.

Because of this, the movie was quickly removed from cinemas in China. Chinese authorities also blocked many mentions of the film online. This shows how serious the impact of such a chant can be, even when it appears in a movie.