The mother dressed her son as Naitanui for book week, and painted her child’s skin black to make him look like the Eagles star and posted a photo of him on Facebook.

Naitanui posted a response on social media about the serious origins of blackface stating society should “grow together”.

 “The young bloods innocence merely attempting to emulate his hero hurts my heart. Especially when that hero is me!,” he wrote.

“It’s a shame racism coexists in an environment where our children should be nurtured not tortured because they are unaware of the painful historical significance “blackface” has had previously on the oppressed.

“I don’t believe the mother had any intention to cause harm, just wanted her kid to simple be “Nic Nat” however may reflect on this and choose an alternate method next time. #Educationisthekey #evenI’velearnt.”

The mother described the backlash as extreme political correctness.

“So many politically correct extremists these days,” the unidentified woman wrote.

“He is pastey White (sic) and if I just sent him in a wig and footy gear, no one would tell who he was.”