A viral video showing two toddlers embracing on a New York street has garnered global headlines because it is a symbol of hope, according to the father of one of the boys.

Key points: The clip of Maxwell, who is white, and Finnegan, who is black, has earned the praise of online audiences

The clip of Maxwell, who is white, and Finnegan, who is black, has earned the praise of online audiences Maxwell's father believes the video has gone viral because of racial issues around the world

Maxwell's father believes the video has gone viral because of racial issues around the world He says the clip shows that "hatred is taught"

The clip, posted to Instagram by Michael Cisneros last week, shows his two-year-old son Maxwell running and hugging his best friend, Finnegan, after unexpectedly spotting him on the street.

The vision of Maxwell, who is white, and Finnegan, who is black, has since been shared widely — something Mr Cisneros attributes to racial tensions.

"Honestly, I think it has gotten so big because of the race issue in our country and also around the world," he told CBSN New York.

"Racism is taught. Hatred is taught. These two boys don't see anything different within each other."

Mr Cisneros said the friendship, which blossomed when the boys' families met at a local restaurant about a year ago, showed they "love each other for who they are".

"That's exactly how it should be," Mr Cisneros said.

"We just want to raise loving, caring boys, and I think the world likes to see a little bit of hope."

Mr Cisneros said the pair hug whenever they see one another, and Finnegan was Maxwell's "number one".