Book Week blackface: The boy dressed up as AFL footballer Nic Naitanui. Credit:Twitter "I was a little worried about painting him. (So many politically correct extremists these days) he is pastey White (sic) and if I just sent him in a wig and footy gear, no one would tell who he was," she posted. "So I ... painted my boy brown and he looked fanf------tastic." The mother, who Fairfax has chosen not to identify, said she dressed her son up that way for the annual Book Week parade, when students are encouraged to dress as their favourite characters. The Perth-based mother claimed that despite her Facebook friends telling her the costume was a "horrible idea", her son won the parade.

"Parenting win," she posted. Screen shots of the post have circulated on social media, sparking a storm of criticism on Twitter, with dozens of people calling the act racist. The mother said she did not want to comment about the incident. Indigenous rapper Briggs has described the mother's behaviour as "an obviously reckless, racist thing to do". The practice of blackface emerged in the 19th Century and has played a key role in creating racist stereotypes about black people.

Dr Naomi Priest, Australian National University’s expert on racism and child health, said blackface “reinforces stereotypes”, and was potentially harmful to students who come from non-white backgrounds. She said research showed that racism in schools lead to depression, anxiety, behavioral problems and higher chances of obesity, and it was up to schools to ensure their students were not exposed to racism. But Dr Priest said it would be wrong to blame or punish the child for the act. "Schools have a mandate to maintain a safe environment for all students," she said.

"This shouldn't be something that wins an award." Dr Priest is working with the Human Rights Commission and education departments in Victoria and New South Wales on developing a program to help schools improve their handling of racism. Ms Hall confirmed that she had deleted the mother's post on Facebook. She said on Facebook she did not believe that the woman was racist but said she did not support the mother's decision. "I don't agree with dressing your child up in blackface, I can't defend it," she wrote.

"Because it is hurtful to our indigenous brothers and sisters. "I don't believe that the mum in question was behaving maliciously, I don't believe that she intended to hurt anyone. "However, I think it was an ill informed decision based on her view that there is too much political correctness in our world."

Dr Berhan Admed, chairman of the Melbourne-based African Think Tank and Melbourne University academic, said the incident was "gut wrenching". "It is offensive to be honest with you, this is where bigotry starts," said Dr Ahmed, a Sudanese refugee and Victorian Australian of the Year in 2009. "This is the last thing that I would expect, especially when it comes to children. The impact of this [on children from ethnic minorities] can be long term".

Grant Webb, president of Australian Literacy Educators' Association, said the parade was supposed to celebrate books and reading. Mr Webb said the campaign was also designed to be a positive experience that celebrated different cultures. "Books allow us to look at embrace and appreciate different cultures … teaching books in a classroom also helps teach children about social justice issues," he said. Australian Opals basketball team member Alice Kunek apologised after posting photos of herself in blackface earlier this year. A photograph of Kunek, dressed as her favourite rapper Kanye West for the Melbourne Boomers' 'Silly Sunday' celebrations, was posted on social media, prompting a furious public response, including from Opals star Liz Cambage.

Australian Opals player Alice Kunek (left) pictured wearing ''blackface''. The Frankston Bombers also apologised after posting images of teammates in blackface. The football and netball club came under fire after posting pictures of the players dressed up for an 'iPod shuffle night', which included some who painted their skin black to appear as American rappers. Frankston Bombers apologised for the blackface photos that caused a social media storm. Keeping up with the Kardashians star Kylie Jenner was also accused of donning blackface in a photo she posted of herself on Instagram, wearing dark make up under neon lights.

Credit:Instagram Cricket Australia was forced to issue an apology after tweeting an image of fans dressed like Indians with beards in colourful lycra, appearing to resemble English left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. The offending tweet that was deleted by Cricket Australia. Credit:Timna Jacks